Modern dentistry is making great strides in providing better patient care. Dental equipment and techniques in dentistry are evolving and medications are advancing, making procedures painless and helping patients relax.

The very people who work in a dental office are changing, too.

Most conventional dental offices have traditionally been staffed with a dentist and a few key professionals, including a receptionist, hygienist, and dental assistant.

Here at the Blende Dental Group, we’ve brought together a full team of San Francisco dentists and specialists who can work out of one office to provide patients with more comprehensive services in a single, convenient location.

A Team of San Francisco Dentists

In the past, any specialized dental procedures required that your dentist issued a referral and sent you to a specialist. While we still occasionally send our patients to some of the best specialists in San Francisco, we are increasingly able to perform highly specialized treatments and procedures right here in our offices.

Our staff currently includes dentists who practice and specialize in the areas of general dentistry, dental surgery, anesthesiology, endodontics, and periodontics.

More and more of our patients’ care is done here in our office by members of our team.

How We Work Together to Serve Our Patients Better

All of our new patients are assigned a dedicated Patient Care Coordinator, someone who acts as a point of contact and personal advocate working as a liaison between patients and dentists. A Patient Care Coordinator answers patients’ questions, sets appointments, and makes arrangements with dental specialists.

Some of our appointments take place in a hospital setting, where our team works together to perform various procedures during a One-Sleep-Visit, in which the patient sleeps through the appointment and can have more extensive work completed in a single day.

Our One-Sleep-Visits are ideal for special needs patients, people struggling with dental anxiety, and individuals who need a large amount of work but want to get it done quickly and conveniently.

Most of our work is done right here in our offices, where our team of specialists and San Francisco dentists coordinate and work together to give patients convenient, top-notch care.

Our approach enables our dentists to communicate with each other and more easily share patient records and consult with each other on treatment plans and patients’ overall dental health. Because our team works together in this fashion, we have more expertise and familiarity with our patients than dental professionals who work alone.

The Blende Dental Group

The Blende Dental Group’s team of San Francisco dentists offers patients the expertise of an entire team of dental professionals and the convenience of one location. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-575-3375.

Fear of going to the dentist is one of the most common anxieties that affect dental patients today. Studies show that 1 in 7 Americans struggles with dental anxiety. Some cases are so severe that patients avoid making appointments and cancel the appointments they do make. Their dental health suffers as a result.

Patients with dental anxiety aren’t the only who have a hard time getting in to see the dentist. Seniors, people with debilitating diseases, and other patients with special needs all face unique challenges in obtaining proper dental health care.

In July 2011, NBC News showcased Bay Area House Call Dentists, a division of the Blende Dental Group, in a special feature on San Francisco dentist Dr. David Blende. Here are some highlights from the report:

San Francisco Dentist Makes House Calls

At the Burlingame Villa, a nursing home for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia, it’s difficult for many elderly residents to travel to the dentist’s office. So, their dentist comes to them.

Dr. Blende with Bay Area House Call Dentists provides dental patients with home appointments and treats Alzheimer’s patients, like 90-year-old Joe, who can’t make it to a dental office.

“We take care of an awful lot of special needs patients: Cerebral Palsy, Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome, anybody who has special needs. It’s hard for them to comprehend a dental visit in a conventional dental office setting.”

-Dr. David Blende

House-call dental visits can include treatments beyond a simple exam. During his home appointment, Joe was getting an X-ray to check for an ulcer in his mouth.

Dr. Blende said, “We try and do long-term care for these people, so we’ve done everything from create an entire surgery unit at home to simply going up 27 stairs, beyond where the fire department can go, to take teeth out of a 105-year-old woman.”

Home Dentist for Seniors and Patients with Special Needs

Joe’s caregiver, Bridget Byrne, says that house calls have saved Joe from a stressful journey: “I think it’s less frightening for the patient because they’re in a home surrounding.”

Studies show that nursing home patients who receive regular oral care have a much lower rate of pneumonia than those who do not get routine, professional dental care.

Dental house calls save patients from stressful trips to the dentist. Seniors and special needs patients are more comfortable in a home setting and can get through minor and more complex treatments and procedures with greater ease. San Francisco dentist Dr. Blende has met those patients’ needs honorably.

As reporter Marianne Favro observes, “For these patients, there’s no place like home.”

The Blende Dental Group

The Blende Dental Group has been working with seniors and patients with special needs for over 20 years. To schedule an appointment with a San Francisco dentist with the Blende Dental Group, call 1-800-575-3375.

The Blende Dental Group is a team of dentists and dental specialists in San Francisco who specialize in dentistry for seniors and people with special needs.

Dr. David Blende has over 20 years of experience in providing comprehensive dental care. After graduating from the University of Southern California, Dr. Blende practiced dentistry in hospital and private-practice settings in Switzerland and Beverly Hills before founding the Blende Dental Group and establishing himself as a San Francisco dentist.

His work in the field of dentistry has focused on aesthetic crown and bridge work as well as complex dental rehabilitation cases and using general anesthesia in a hospital setting.

Dr. Blende an active contributor to the field of dentistry and has served as the Chairman of the California Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs and Research as the President of the French Foundation for Medical Research and Education.

Dr. Blende is an accomplished dental professional and his most notable contributions to dentistry have been to his patients.

Seniors and Special Needs Patients

Dr. Blende has built a practice that specializes in serving patients who are normally overlooked in conventional dental practices.

Seniors and special needs patients of all ages have come to Dr. Blende and his team for specialized care. Many of these patients are unable to comprehend what is happening to them in a dental office setting. They may become agitated by simply sitting in a dentist’s chair in an unfamiliar environment. Some find it difficult to sit still for the duration of an appointment. Others cannot physically make the trip. Many are inhibited by anxiety (fear of dentists).

The Blende Dental Group puts patients’ comfort first by accommodating people who are coping with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Cerebral Palsy, autism, dental anxiety, and any other condition that requires a little extra care and compassion during dental appointments.

San Francisco Dentist for Special Needs Patients

San Francisco dentist, Dr. Blende, and his entire staff at the Blende Dental Group have attracted patients from around the world for their highly specialized care.

The Blende Dental Group is dedicated to providing dental care to patients with special needs by offering a range of services and options designed to make dental treatments and procedures as convenient as possible:

• Home visits – Dr. Blende’s team at Bay Area House Call Dentists (BAHCD) visits patients in their homes and can perform a wide range of procedures in a home setting.
• Sedation dentistry – is especially effective for patients struggling with anxiety or who have trouble sitting still for extended periods. Sedation also alleviates pain associated with some dental procedures.
• One-Sleep-Visit – allows Dr. Blende’s team to perform several procedures during a single appointment in a hospital setting while the patient is under sedation.

The Blende Dental Group personalizes treatments for each patient’s physical and medical needs, budget, and comfort level. Their top priority is working closely with patients to determine the best course of action in their dental health regimen and treatments.

The Blende Dental Group

The Blende Dental Group has been treating seniors and patients with special needs for over 20 years. Our team of San Francisco dentists is ready to take your questions and schedule an appointment. Please call 1-800-575-3375 to learn more.

The Blende Dental Group is a team of dentists in San Francisco working together to make healthy, beautiful teeth and gums a reality for patients throughout the Bay Area.

Our team of San Francisco dentists specializes in treating patients with special needs. In traditional dentistry, special needs patients have been overlooked. Few dental professionals offer the access, office setting, and chairside manner that are necessary in treating patients with special needs.

Dr. David Blende started the Blende Dental Group over 20 years ago as a way to fulfill his vision of making dental health more accessible to people with special needs. Whether dealing with disabilities, complex medical conditions, or anxieties, Dr. Blende wanted to make sure that everyone had access to adequate, professional dental care.

His vision became a huge success. Patients have come from all around the globe to receive the highly specialized and considerate dental care provided by the Blende Dental Group. In fact, Dr. Blende’s practice has become a renowned leader in dentistry for its dedication to serving patients with special needs along with their work in sedation dentistry.

Blende’s Team of Dentists in San Francisco

Dr. David Blende graduated from the University of Southern California and since then has acquired over 20 years of experience in dentistry. He has worked in hospitals and private practices in Switzerland, Beverly Hills, and San Francisco with a focus on aesthetic crown and bridgework as well as complex dental rehabilitation cases using general anesthesia in a hospital setting.

Dr. Erica Haskett received her doctor of dental surgery degree from New York University. She also attended University of California, Irvine, where she majored in biological sciences. She received her post-graduate training from Community Regional Medical Center of Fresno, California and the Veterans’ Administration, Fresno where she received extensive training to treat geriatric, disabled, and special needs patients. At the Blende Dental Group, Dr. Haskett leads a team in complex restorative care in hospital and office settings for special needs patients.

Serving Patients in the Bay Area and Beyond

The Blende Dental Group’s hard work, dedication, and special services in dentistry have made them a world-renowned practice. But more importantly, their efforts have made optimum dental health possible for patients who have found that conventional dentist visits are cumbersome or impossible.

The Blende Dental Group has expanded their own service area by launching Bay Area House Call Dentists, a dentistry service that visits patients at their locations.

The Blende Dental Group is a team of San Francisco dentists serving patients throughout Bay Area. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-575-3375.

San Francisco is a big city and there are a lot of dentists to choose from. How do you decide?

Choosing a dentist is a big decision. You want a dentist who is professional and experienced, one who will treat you well and make your oral health a priority. You need to find someone you can trust.

There are a number of factors to consider when you’re looking for a dentist in San Francisco or anywhere else. Does the dentist come highly recommended? Is there a team of dental professionals on staff who can address a wide range of issues? Is the location of the office convenient for you? Are the business hours compatible with your schedule?

Tips for Finding a Dentist Who’s Right for You

Many patients choose a dentist in a hurry. They may be coping with a toothache or have other pressing dentistry needs that prevent them from taking their time to select a dentist. But taking some time and doing a little research pays off. With the huge number of dentists in San Francisco, it helps to narrow down the list by deciding what is most important to you in a dentist.

These tips will help you refine your search for the perfect dentist.

Referrals – When it comes to choosing a dentist, nothing beats a referral from someone you trust. Check with friends, family members, and co-workers. Explain any special considerations you have with regard to your dental health and find out if anyone you know can recommend a dentist.

Reputation – A dentist has to earn a good reputation. When you check reviews and referrals, weigh the positive and negative feedback. Dental patients who have taken the time to issue a positive review or testimonial have been greatly impressed by the care they received (impressed enough to take the time to share their experience) and a dentist who makes a strong, positive impression on other patients is more likely to make a similar impression on you.

Special Needs - If you or your loved one has special needs, it’s essential that you find a dentist office that accommodates such needs. Whether you need wheelchair access or a dentist who knows how work compassionately with patients who are disabled, dealing with anxiety and other mental illnesses, make sure the dentist you choose is experienced and prepared to provide proper care.

Service Options – Many patients who are looking for a dentist know they need work done. Some are searching for a dentist who can take care of their cosmetic dentistry needs in addition to basic care. Check prospective dentists’ websites to see if they provide all the dentistry services that you’re looking for in a dentist.

Pediatric and Family Dentistry – If you’re looking for a dentist who can treat your whole family, make sure you check to see if the office is child-friendly or offers expertise (or specialization) in pediatric dentistry. The same applies to eldercare — some dentists offer services that cater to aging patients.

Location – For many patients, location of a dentists’ office must be convenient. Some want a dentist near their home. Others want a dentist near their workplace. Many patients just want a dentist who can provide excellent care. Be sure to consider location and whether it’s a factor in your selection of a dentist.

Cost and Payment Options – In an ideal world, cost would never be a factor when it comes to you and your family’s health. But for many people, it’s an important consideration. As you search for a dentist, keep your budget in mind, but remember that oral health is essential to overall good health. In some cases, opting for a payment plan or paying out of pocket to go out-of-network is the best way to achieve optimum oral health.

Dentist San Francisco

Take time and care when choosing a dentist. San Francisco is home to many dental offices and one of them will be an ideal match to your needs.

The Blende Dental Group is a San Francisco dentist office that has been serving patients in the greater Bay Area for over 20 years. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-575-3375.