For many patients with special needs, dental visits are uncomfortable and difficult to access. The University of New Mexico’s new Special Care Dental Clinic in Nowitzki Hall is working to change that with specialized training, state-of-the-art equipment and a deep commitment to inclusive care.
The clinic was made possible by the strong support of the New Mexico State Government. State Health Secretary Gina DeBlasie praised the clinic: “With the support of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the State Legislature, this critical public health facility has finally been completed.
We have long faced a problem – many special populations have difficulty accessing basic oral care. This clinic will be a trusted medical haven for them.”
The clinic is designed to provide comprehensive oral care for patients who cannot be treated in a conventional dental setting due to physical or intellectual disabilities.
“Health care is about more than technology; it’s about respect and humanity,” said Dr. Mike Richards, Executive Vice President of the UNM College of Health Sciences and CEO of the Health Center.
This clinic is a reflection of our commitment to fairness and expertise, and it enhances access to care.”
With this in mind, the clinic is part of the UNM Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency program.
“We see patients from all over the state and even in neighboring states,” said Dr. Blake Gutierrez, director of the program.
“They often have trouble finding a clinic that understands their needs and can treat them safely. Our goal is to change that.”
The clinic in Nowitzki Hall is carefully designed to reduce sensory stimulation and increase patient comfort. For example, the use of soft-toned walls, dimmed lighting, and soundproof walls are all designed to accommodate patients’ sensory sensitivities.
The facility is also equipped with adaptive dental chairs, body stabilizers, and wheelchair lifts, and offers sedation and general anesthesia when needed.
The clinic is run in close partnership with families and caregivers. From appointment preparation to transportation arrangements to post-operative care, every step requires meticulous coordination.
“A successful visit is about more than just the patient arriving on time,” Dr. Gutierrez explains. “We focus on communication and consensus throughout the process.”
By incorporating the clinic into the actual training curriculum for residents, the university is also committed to creating a new generation of dentists with special care capabilities.
“Our vision is to move away from individual specialists and train hundreds of doctors with this skill set so that patients with special needs can receive appropriate care everywhere,” Dr. Gutierrez emphasizes.
The UNM Special Care Dental Clinic represents not only an important advancement in access to care, but also a true embrace of a diverse patient population.
Through patient-centered design, specialized training, and ongoing medical innovation, the clinic is reshaping the possibilities of smiles for special populations throughout the region—one patient, one visit, one smile transformed.