Saving Smiles program provides free restorative dentistry services to special needs patients

Published on Fri, Feb 21, 2014 (2:32 p.m.)

Submitted by Las Vegas Special Needs Dentistry

Dr. Steven DeLisle, founder of Las Vegas Special Needs Dentistry, launched Saving Smiles, a new program that offers free restorative dentistry to special needs patients with Autism, Down Syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program will serve special needs adults over the age of 21; patients with Medicaid lose all preventive and restorative dental benefits after the age of 21, including teeth cleaning and filling cavities, as Medicaid only covers tooth extraction.

The mission of Saving Smiles is to promote prevention and reduce future extractions. The loss of these dental services causes many special needs patients to delay or neglect their dental health, resulting in dental decay and additional painful ailments.

The program was founded by Dr. Steven DeLisle, a fierce advocate for medically fragile and special needs patients. A board certified dentist anesthesiologist with years of experience, Dr. DeLisle has launched numerous programs to enhance treatment options for patients with complex medical problems, including chronic pain patients, special needs patients, diabetics, and patients with profound dental anxiety. A pioneer in strengthening community outreach, Dr. DeLisle provides restorative dentistry to autistic patients at local nonprofit Families for Effective Autism Treatment. He is the chief dentist at The Foundation for Positively Kids where he treats medically fragile patients, foster children, and patients with dental fears. Dr. DeLisle also provides restorative dentistry services to intellectually challenged seniors at the New Vista medical clinic.

“Our goal is to better help patients restore and keep their teeth, instead of extracting them,” said Dr. DeLisle, facility director at Las Vegas Special Needs Dentistry and founder of Saving Smiles. We are excited to increase our preventative services in Southern Nevada to special needs patients.

About Las Vegas Special Needs Dentistry
Las Vegas Special Needs Dentistry is the only dental office in Southern Nevada designed and accredited to facilitate patients with special needs. Our goal is to make sure our patients have a successful and anxiety free dental visit. We are a Medicaid provider and accredited by the Joint Commission, the gold standard in accrediting health care organizations. For more information on Saving Smiles, or for eligibility requirements, call 702-489-5460, or visit http://lasvegasspecialneedsdentistry.com.