Are you the parent, sibling, or caretaker of a loved one who has special needs? Even today, it can be difficult finding a qualified, informed, and caring dentist who is willing to accommodate patients who have physical or intellectual disabilities that make their visits different. At Disability Dental Services, we treat each of our patients as individuals and strive to provide them with comfortable, non-traumatizing dentistry that helps keep their oral health on the right track. You can read a little bit more about what makes our dental office different below.
Our brand-new dental office is modeled after a surgery center. It has six-foot hallways, a waiting and recovery area, and several comfortable treatment rooms. We wanted to help everybody who passed through our dental office to have a great experience, which is why we put large televisions in the waiting area. We wanted to make our dental office feel like a home away from home for our patients, so its decorated with warm, welcoming, lodge-like furniture and finishes. You can take a tour of our dental office by clicking the link below.
We want our patients to not have to panic about not fitting in hallways with their wheelchairs or having to be lifted into a different chair for treatment, which is why our dental office is 100 percent wheelchair accessible. From our large, six-foot hallways to our Versatilt Wheelchair Lift that allows us to conduct checkups and cleanings as well as any other treatments from the comfort of their chair, we considered wheelchair accessibility in every aspect of our dental offices design.
With this in mind, we are happy to share the additional steps we are taking to make every visit to our dental office as safe as possible. These actions are incremental to our normal standards of care that meet or exceed all CDC, OSHA and ADA guidelines for dental offices.
Our goal is to add peace-of-mind to the friendliness and clinical excellence you have come to expect. Of course, this is part of an on-going commitment that will evolve with the times. As always, we welcome the opportunity to answer any of your questions and to address all concerns.
After practicing as a general dentist for 9 years, it became apparent to Dr. Ford that taking care of special needs adults is very difficult, if not impossible, without additional training and skills. The necessity of anesthesia being required to treat patients with mental and physical disabilities motivated him to seek out and become certified in providing a wide range of sedation services, ensuring that everyone could enjoy a calm and productive trip to the dentist.
Dr. Ford earned his Bachelor of Science in Dentistry from Baylor University, and then he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston in 1972. He then began caring for special needs patients as a staff dentist at the Mexia State School for the Mentally Handicapped from 1977-1981. He continued his education, completing a Medical Anesthesiology Residency program at the Baylor College of Medicine at Houston from 1981-1983.
Dr. Ford went on to serve as a staff anesthesiologist at the John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for 14 years, during which he became vice-chairman of the Anesthesiology Department. In the years that followed, he provided weekly anesthesiology services to multiple dental offices in the area, eventually opening Disability Dental Services in 2007.
Away from work, Dr. Ford primarily enjoys spending time with his family, consisting of his wife of 48 years, their 3 grown sons, and 5 grandchildren. He enjoys boating and jetskiing on Cedar Creek Lake and spending time with the grandkids.
Reviews
Rating 4.9 out of 5 based on 20 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestDa & Jeff Gipson
a year ago
The experience with Disability Dental and its staff is great. Not only does the staff seem to truly care about each other but they show great compassion for their patients and their care givers. In my opinion this is the place one with special needs should go for dental care.
Sharnique Coleman
a year ago
Takes good care of their patients & great customer service. Office is nice & clean also.
D. Fuller
a year ago
Everyone here is so great! My adult son is in a wheelchair, so we love the accessibility for him. Very blessed to have somewhere we can go that fits our needs so well. Highly recommend!
Cindy Miller
2 years ago
Terrific, caring and knowledgeable treatment by staff. Beautiful facility. Easy scheduling and working with our insurance and Medicaid providers.
Reba Henry
2 years ago
This office is A-1 from the time we entered the front door until we exited the side door! Every person we encountered was extremely nice and accommodating. This was our first experience with DD and my autistic son who does not like to be touched responded to them like a champ! Best experience ever! Thank you all so very much especially Ms. Cheryl whom my son took an immediate liking to! Beautiful inside and out! Thanks again I can't sing you all's praises enough!
Elizabeth Bakken
2 years ago
The minute you walk in you feel right at home, the staff welcomed my son and myself with open arms. My son was anxious and the staff were understanding and kind, in no time at all they made him feel safe and secure. I was kept informed about his dental procedure. Everyone was so kind, I highly recommend Disability Dentist. Thank you Andy for helping my son, he really looks forward to seeing you.
Maria Zamarripa
2 years ago
We finally were able to go in to get my sons teeth cleaned and checked after more than a year due to COVID. As always they are so wonderful, thorough, friendly staff and helpful. See you again in 6 months for another cleaning. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Disability Dental Services to anyone who has someone with special needs. They actually deserve 10
Lisa Stickney
2 years ago
Highly highly recommend. They have been performing dental services on my adult son with autism for about 5 years, and I have been thoroughly impressed with all of the Dentists, CRNAs and technical staff. Can't say enough good things!
Day Gibbs
2 years ago
My autism son has been a patient for over 4 years the staff is awesome from the time you come until you leave the atmosphere is wonderful they keep up updated on everything that's going on, I love them and recommend to anybody who has a disable child
Lisa Stickney
3 years ago
Highly highly recommend. They have been performing dental services on my adult son with autism for about 5 years, and I have been thoroughly impressed with all of the Dentists, CRNAs and technical staff. Can't say enough good things!
Maria Zamarripa
3 years ago
We finally were able to go in to get my sons teeth cleaned and checked after more than a year due to COVID. As always they are so wonderful, thorough, friendly staff and helpful. See you again in 6 months for another cleaning. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Disability Dental Services to anyone who has someone with special needs. They actually deserve 10
Day Gibbs
3 years ago
My autism son has been a patient for over 4 years the staff is awesome from the time you come until you leave the atmosphere is wonderful they keep up updated on everything that's going on, I love them and recommend to anybody who has a disable child
Deanna Kilburn
4 years ago
Only does cleaning. Don't go if need any real dental work done. Overcharges for services. Too bad taking advantage of handicapped patients. Two stars for friendly staff.
Michelle Fulton
4 years ago
This place is an answer to prayers. No hospital gowns or hospital beds The staff and doctors are so kind and do an amazing job.
Michelle Fulton
5 years ago
This place is an answer to prayers. No hospital gowns or hospital beds The staff and doctors are so kind and do an amazing job.
Deanna Kilburn
5 years ago
Only does cleaning. Don't go if need any real dental work done. Overcharges for services. Too bad taking advantage of handicapped patients. Two stars for friendly staff.
Marti McDonald
7 years ago
I highly recommend Disability Dental! The entire staff is wonderful. My son felt comfortable from the moment we walked in. He did not experience any of the standard anxiety of visiting a new place. There are NOT a lot of options for special needs patients once they age out of pediatric care. I consider Disability Dental a blessing. =)
Marti McDonald
7 years ago
I highly recommend Disability Dental! The entire staff is wonderful. My son felt comfortable from the moment we walked in. He did not experience any of the standard anxiety of visiting a new place. There are NOT a lot of options for special needs patients once they age out of pediatric care. I consider Disability Dental a blessing. =)
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