Dental Clinics
UNM Special Care Dental Clinic Opens to Transform Access for Patients With Disabilities
For many patients with disabilities, a routine dental visit can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Standard dental offices often lack the equipment, training, or accommodations necessary to safely treat individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. Now, a new clinic at The University of New Mexico is changing that.
The UNM Special Care Dental Clinic, located in Novitsky Hall on UNM’s campus, is the latest expansion of inclusive care within the state. Designed specifically for patients who cannot be treated in typical dental settings, the clinic brings together compassionate care, advanced technology, and a forward-thinking approach to dental education.
A Major Step Toward Inclusive Healthcare
The clinic’s opening was made possible through strong institutional and state backing. Gina DeBlassie, secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health, emphasized the impact this facility will have on the community.
“Thanks to the efforts of our State Legislature and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, this dental clinic, so vital in meeting the needs of special populations to maintain their oral health, is a reality,” DeBlassie said. “This Special Care Dental Clinic will open the door to a safe and comfortable place to ensure proper oral health care to this community.”
For years, families and caregivers across New Mexico have struggled to find dentists who can safely accommodate patients with significant needs. With limited options, many patients have been forced to delay or forgo critical care. This new facility directly addresses those gaps.
Purpose-Built for Patient Comfort and Accessibility
Designed with patient experience in mind, the Special Care Dental Clinic includes thoughtful adaptations that go far beyond the basics. Everything from paint colors to lighting and sound control has been considered to reduce anxiety and sensory overload.
Dr. Blake Gutierrez, DDS, who serves as the residency program director at UNM Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), highlighted the environment’s importance.
“It’s little things that really make a big difference,” Gutierrez explained. “Calming paint colors, dimmed lighting, and noise buffering help create a comfortable environment. These adaptations significantly reduce sensory stimulation.”
But the clinic also includes advanced features that are critical for safety and function. Specialized dental chairs with stabilizers allow patients with involuntary movements to be treated safely. The clinic also has lifts to help transfer patients from wheelchairs into treatment positions. When needed, pharmacological sedation and general anesthesia options are available to ensure patient comfort during more complex procedures.
A Regional Resource for Patients and Families
The clinic is already attracting attention from families across New Mexico and beyond. Gutierrez noted that patients routinely travel from out of state to receive care. For many, it is the first time they have found a dentist equipped and willing to treat them.
“Our patients often travel from across New Mexico and even from out of state,” said Gutierrez. “Many have faced significant challenges finding dental providers who can safely accommodate their needs. We want to change that.”
Another unique feature of the clinic is its deep integration with caregivers and families. Every appointment involves extensive coordination before and after the visit, from transportation to recovery planning.
“A lot goes into a visit other than just the patient showing up,” Gutierrez said. “It’s important everyone is on the same page before, during, and after appointments.”
Shaping the Next Generation of Dentists
Beyond providing care, the Special Care Dental Clinic is also an educational hub. It plays a central role in UNM’s dental residency training, preparing new dentists to care for patients with diverse needs.
“Our goal is to train a generation of dentists who are comfortable and competent in treating patients with special needs,” Gutierrez said. “Instead of having only a few specialists in this area, we want hundreds of dentists prepared to provide this essential care.”
Dr. Mike Richards, Executive Vice President of UNM Health Sciences and CEO of UNM Health, emphasized how the clinic fits into the broader mission of equity and education at the institution.
“Health care is about more than just treating conditions—it is about treating people with dignity, respect, and the expertise they require,” said Dr. Richards. “That is what this clinic represents. With this expansion, we are not only increasing access to care but reaffirming our values as a health system committed to equity, excellence, and innovation.”
A Long-Awaited Milestone for New Mexico
The ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 1, 2025, was a celebration years in the making. Among the attendees was University of New Mexico President Garnett S. Stokes, who joined staff, legislators, and community advocates in recognizing the moment.
The clinic stands as a testament to what can be achieved when healthcare, education, and public policy align to meet the needs of underserved populations. For the thousands of individuals with disabilities who have been left behind by conventional systems, it offers hope, dignity, and access.
Looking Ahead
With its unique combination of compassionate care, specialized equipment, and forward-looking dental education, the UNM Special Care Dental Clinic is poised to become a national model for inclusive dentistry.
Its mission is clear: to remove barriers, empower caregivers, and ensure that every patient, regardless of ability, receives the quality dental care they deserve.
As Gutierrez puts it:
“We are building more than a clinic. We are building trust, relationships, and a future where every patient can smile with confidence.”
Dental Clinics
Three California Dental Practices Outline Patient-Centered Care and Community Programs
Three independent dental practices are outlining service models that emphasize communication, continuity, and community engagement across Southern and Northern California. The Honest Tooth in San Gabriel highlights a rebrand and wellness-oriented general practice, Burgundy Dental in Napa describes a hands-on, minimally invasive approach grounded in local culture, and South Coast Metro Center for Dentistry in Santa Ana details a relationship-first model supported by a small, trained team. Together, these updates reflect a practical emphasis on informed decisions, measured treatment planning, and clear follow-up processes.
The Honest Tooth, led by Dr. Mark Wang, reports a full practice rebrand that pairs long-standing patient relationships with a transparent care philosophy. The office operates intentionally small, six chairs and one dentist, to support personalized attention and continuity. Services span comprehensive general dentistry, including cleanings, fillings, and implants, with an emphasis on how oral health connects to overall wellness. Community programming includes participation in local events and school-based education, and the practice is planning a remodel while exploring expanded services such as advanced implants and potential orthodontics.
Burgundy Dental in Napa, founded by Dr. Mike Haddad, positions its care model around direct provider involvement and conservative technique selection. The clinic offers preventive and cosmetic services, dentures, complex extractions, Invisalign, and bone grafting, using digital scanning and collaboration with local specialists when indicated. The practice environment is designed to feel welcoming and reflective of Napa’s culture, including a private suite that supports VIP or sedation care. Burgundy Dental remains in-network with major PPOs to support access and is developing on-site community space for education and small events.
South Coast Metro Center for Dentistry in Santa Ana, owned by Dr. Brandon Le, describes a relationship-first intake process that includes fit evaluation before any treatment begins. The four-operatory clinic maintains a compact team and uses digital tools such as the TRIOS scanner while prioritizing fundamentals, patient education, and time for discussion. Outreach includes school presentations and oral-health instruction in underserved areas, with staff development integrated into these activities. The practice reports growth through word of mouth and continues to focus on a steady, small-scale model rather than expansion.
Across the three practices, documentation and consent are framed as core standards. The Honest Tooth notes continuity through one-provider care and attention to whole-person context during treatment planning. Burgundy Dental emphasizes minimally invasive approaches when possible and direct execution of procedures by the dentist for consistency. South Coast Metro Center highlights structured new-patient visits, internal team training, and follow-up that favors clarity over speed. Each practice indicates that referrals are part of routine decision-making when a different modality or setting is better suited to a patient’s goals.
Community orientation is also a common thread. The Honest Tooth participates in neighborhood events and school programs, extending preventive education to children and families. Burgundy Dental serves a diverse patient base, including Spanish-speaking residents and workers in hospitality and agriculture, and is planning small community gatherings on site. South Coast Metro Center continues school-based outreach and encourages staff leadership in public education as part of professional growth. These activities position the practices as local resources for oral-health information as well as clinical care.
Looking ahead, the practices describe incremental improvements rather than abrupt change. The Honest Tooth is remodeling its space and assessing service expansion aligned with patient demand. Burgundy Dental is building momentum as a newer practice while maintaining in-network access and refining its conservative treatment ethos. South Coast Metro Center is investing in staff development and sustained outreach while keeping its footprint purposefully small. Collectively, these updates point to a steady move toward small-team, high-touch dentistry that privileges communication, measured sequencing, and community presence over volume-driven models.
Dental Clinics
Two Arizona Clinics Share Evidence-Based Care Approaches
Full-spectrum reconstruction and med spa in Mesa and Glendale; comprehensive dentistry and technology-assisted treatments in Tucson.
With locations in Mesa and Glendale, Valley Aesthetic Institute is leading a quiet revolution in aesthetic and reconstructive care. Founded by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle, the clinic takes a patient-first approach grounded in medical rigor, long-term results, and respect for the body’s natural structure. From complex surgical reconstruction to advanced med spa services, the Institute is a one-stop destination for those seeking science-backed beauty and total-body confidence.
An Arizona native, Dr. Kyle was born and raised in Chandler before pursuing his medical education and training at prestigious institutions across the country, including UT Southwestern and the University of Arizona. After completing a fellowship in advanced reconstruction and microsurgery, he returned home with a mission: make high-caliber care accessible in the very neighborhoods where he and his family grew up.
What sets Valley Aesthetic Institute apart is its full-spectrum model. Patients aren’t forced to choose between a med spa or a surgical clinic—both coexist under one roof, supported by a team of nurse injectors, estheticians, and laser specialists who work alongside Dr. Kyle to provide personalized, data-backed care. The practice emphasizes evidence-based treatments that deliver real, lasting results, steering clear of passing fads in favor of well-studied, long-term solutions.
From post-weight-loss body contouring and hair restoration to men’s and women’s health treatments, the Institute tailors each care plan to the individual. Services are designed with functionality and aesthetics in mind—like using DNA testing to customize hair loss protocols, or favoring regenerative approaches that stimulate the body’s own collagen production. “Our goal is not to offer quick fixes,” says Dr. Kyle. “It’s to help patients get results they can be proud of five, ten, even twenty years from now.”
Community care is built into the foundation. Dr. Kyle volunteers as a youth soccer coach and routinely contributes to families in need—often anonymously—through bill assistance and other charitable support. His practice reflects that same integrity, regularly turning away procedures if they don’t align with a patient’s goals or the clinic’s high standard of care. “There’s a plastic surgeon for every patient and a patient for every plastic surgeon,” he says. “If we’re not the right fit, we’re honest about that.”
While demand continues to grow, the Institute remains focused on relationship-driven care. Patients are encouraged to think long-term, with treatment plans designed to evolve with their goals and lifestyle. Whether visiting for reconstructive surgery, aesthetic refinement, or hormone and wellness support, each patient is seen as a whole person—not a procedure.
As Valley Aesthetic Institute continues to build its name throughout the East and West Valley, its core philosophy remains unchanged: honest medicine, rooted in science, delivered with empathy.
Meanwhile, at 6246 E Pima Street in Tucson, Buena Vida Dental Studio is delivering on the promise of its name: helping patients live “the good life” through ethical, advanced, and deeply personal dental care. Owned and operated by Dr. Carlos Benavides, the practice merges the comfort of a family-friendly office with the capabilities of a full-scope general and cosmetic dentistry clinic.
Dr. Benavides’ journey began in the southern Arizona border town of Douglas, where a clear sense of purpose led him directly from high school to dental school without pause. After gaining experience at a corporate dental office and filling in at other practices, he found his own space in Tucson and immediately knew it was the right fit. From the moment he stepped into what would become Buena Vida Dental Studio, he felt a calling to make it his own—not just in name, but in philosophy.
While the clinic provides everything from routine cleanings to advanced surgical procedures, what makes Buena Vida stand out is its holistic approach to patient care. Dr. Benavides is one of the few dentists in the region offering dedicated sedation services for patients with special needs, serving this population two days per month with the help of an experienced anesthesia team. These efforts reflect a core value of the practice: access to quality care for everyone, no matter their circumstances.
Buena Vida Dental Studio also offers expanded services that go beyond traditional dentistry, including dental implants, clear aligner therapy, Botox for both aesthetics and therapeutic use, and laser-assisted treatments that can aid in everything from conservative fillings to improving sleep apnea to tightening your skin and plumping your lips without injections!. By combining comfort and technology, Dr. Benavides ensures his patients not only feel better, but function better, too.
The office treats primarily adult patients, many of whom come in for long-term care, cosmetic upgrades, or full smile rehabilitations. Families appreciate the relaxed, welcoming vibe of the clinic, often bringing in their children or scheduling back-to-back appointments with the pediatric office next door. Patients frequently comment on the positive energy, the team’s kindness, and Dr. Benavides’ ability to put them at ease—sometimes by singing during procedures.
Beyond clinical care, Buena Vida is rooted in the local community. The practice collaborates with the American Heart Association to raise awareness about the link between oral and cardiac health. Dr. Benavides also supports dental assistant students by offering externship opportunities to help them gain real-world experience in a supportive environment.
With a close-knit team of six, including two front office coordinators, two assistants, and one hygienist, the studio offers a boutique experience without compromising on technology or treatment options. As the practice continues to grow, Dr. Benavides hopes to expand his reach and open a second location, all while staying true to the core mission of helping people feel confident, healthy, and proud of their smiles.
“We all have a light inside,” he says. “My job is to help people bring it out.”
Dental Clinics
AZ Dentist Expands Across Arizona with Compassionate, Community-Focused Care
Delivering the Smile of a Lifetime in Scottsdale, Glendale, Sedona, and Sun City.
In a time when personalized healthcare is more important than ever, AZ Dentist continues to redefine what it means to provide accessible, compassionate, and comprehensive dental care. With a growing network of practices in Scottsdale, Glendale, Sedona, and Sun City, AZ Dentist is fast becoming a trusted name across Arizona communities, known not only for exceptional clinical expertise but also for its unwavering focus on patient comfort and convenience.
From its signature pink heart logo to its philosophy of treating every patient like family, AZ Dentist is building more than smiles. It’s building lasting relationships—one appointment at a time.
A Patient-Centered Approach to Dental Excellence
At the heart of AZ Dentist’s success is a deeply human approach to dentistry. The clinic’s core values—compassion, convenience, and comfort—are not just words on a website. They are the lived experience of every patient who walks through their doors.
Whether you are a first-time visitor for a simple cleaning or returning for advanced care such as implants or cosmetic treatments, AZ Dentist makes it a priority to ensure you feel welcomed, understood, and empowered in every interaction.
“We believe everyone deserves access to world-class dental care, regardless of their background or history,” says a spokesperson for AZ Dentist. “Our goal is to remove the fear and stress so commonly associated with dentistry. We do this by listening, empathizing, and delivering the kind of care we’d want for our own families.”
Four Locations, One Mission: A Healthier Arizona
To better serve patients across the state, AZ Dentist has strategically expanded its footprint, operating four distinct offices with the same unified standard of care:
Scottsdale Office – AZ Dentist (Flagship)
Located in the heart of Scottsdale, the flagship AZ Dentist office combines modern technology with a soothing atmosphere. It serves as the benchmark for what dental care should feel like: accessible, comprehensive, and stress-free. From routine exams to more complex procedures, this location continues to attract families, professionals, and retirees who value consistent and quality-driven care.
Glendale Office – Modern Family Dentistry
Blending contemporary aesthetics with patient-first service, the Glendale location operates under the name Modern Family Dentistry and is proud to be part of the AZ Dentist family. This office is especially popular with multi-generational families who appreciate the clinic’s ability to cater to both children and seniors with equal attention to detail and warmth.
Sedona Office – Sedona Family Dentistry
Surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of red rock country, the Sedona location holds a special place in the AZ Dentist network. As Sedona continues to grow as a wellness destination, this clinic provides residents and visitors alike with a reliable and friendly source for dental care in a serene, welcoming environment.
Sun City Office – 1st Classic Dental
Sun City is home to a vibrant, active senior community, and 1st Classic Dental ensures they have access to high-quality dental care without the hassle. With a focus on preventive care and restorative dentistry, this location helps older adults maintain oral health and enjoy a better quality of life.
Each office retains its unique charm and character while aligning with AZ Dentist’s system-wide commitment to excellence. Patients can expect consistent service and professionalism, no matter which location they visit.
Beyond the Chair: The WOW Factor
One of the phrases often heard within the AZ Dentist culture is “The WOW Factor.” But what does that mean for patients?
It’s the feeling you get when you walk into a dental office and are greeted with genuine smiles. It’s the attention to detail in every procedure, from how X-rays are explained to how follow-up instructions are delivered. It’s the blend of cutting-edge technology with a soft, human touch.
This WOW factor extends beyond the treatment rooms into community outreach and ongoing patient education. Whether through informational content on oral hygiene or wellness partnerships with local organizations, AZ Dentist is actively engaged in making Arizona a healthier place to live.
Your Smile, Our Passion
AZ Dentist is more than just a network of dental clinics. It is a community-driven organization that believes every smile has a story—and every patient deserves the chance to write a happy ending to theirs.
With an unwavering commitment to compassionate care, affordable services, and lasting relationships, AZ Dentist continues to set the standard for dental excellence in Arizona.
You deserve the smile of a lifetime.
Book your appointment today at any one of AZ Dentist’s convenient locations: Scottsdale, Glendale, Sedona, or Sun City.


