Academics:
Faculty, USC School of Dentistry
Instructor, Behavior Science
Lecturer, Ethics
Graduate, USC School of Dentistry
Inventor/Author, Pinhole Surgical Technique ®
Patent Holder, Surgical Instruments
CE Provider: Professional Responsibility,
Infection Control & TMJ
Teacher of the Year 2012, Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
Special Qualifications:
Master,
Academy of General Dentistry
Fellow, International College of
Cranio- Mandibular Orthopaedics
Fellow, International Academy of
Mini Dental Implants
Fellow, International Congress of
Oral Implantologists
Fellow, Institute for Advanced
Laser Dentistry
Permit, Conscious Sedation
Dental Board of California
Professional Associations:
Member, American Dental Association
Member, California Dental Association
Associate Member, American
Academy of Periodontology
Member, American Academy of
Dental Sleep Medicine
Member, American Academy of
Implant Dentistry
Member, American Dental Society
of Anesthesiology
Member, American Academy of
Pain Management
Member, American Academy of
Sleep Medicine
Member, Academy of Microscope
Enhanced Dentistry
Member, Special Care Dentistry
Association
Lectures & Presentations:
San Gabriel Valley Dental Society
San Gabriel Valley Dental
Assistants Society
San Fernando Valley Dental Society
Mt. Baldy Study Club
Western Dental Society
Indian Dental Society
Chinese Dental Society
Punjabi Dental Society
Academy for Excellence in Dentistry
University of Texas -
Department of Periodontics
International Academy of
Mini Dental Implants
Community Service:
Host: SMILETALK, KRLA, KFWB
TV Talk Show Host: Charter
Columnist, Around Alhambra
Columnist, Cascades
Columnist, Spotlight on Montebello
Operation Gratitude
Honors & Recognition:
Doctor of Divinity, Chinese for
Christ Theological Seminary
ADA, CDA Lifetime Membership Award
USC Friends of Dentistry
Special Care Dentistry
John C. Chao, D.D.S., M.A.G.D
Anxiety Management,
Behavior Science,
Faculty, USC School of Dentistry
Patients who have autism or experience some other behavioral disorder like ADD or special needs patients that require dental care be delivered in ways that suit their unique circumstances. On the other hand faithful long-standing patients are aging, taking more medications and faced with uncertain medical futures. People with disabilities are living longer lives and expect access to the same quality of care that their able bodied friends enjoy. To continue to enjoy their trust and faith it is necessary that a dental practice have the knowledge, skill, and equipment to accommodate treatment of special needs patients.
Patients with special needs have always been welcome at Dr. Chao’s office and it is by no happenstance, treating special patients is part of our daily practice and life. These are patients with systemic diseases, issues of aging, multiple medications, behavioral issues and many other special needs related unusual circumstances. Treating patients with special needs continues to be a substantial part of our practice.
Wheelchair-bound patients are also another category of patients who need special consideration. Up to now it has been nearly impossible to render treatment without moving the patient out of the wheelchair and into the dental chair. Dr. Chao has been vexed by the problem of having to transfer the patient from the wheelchair to the dental chair for dental treatment and again transfer the patient back to the wheelchair when work is completed. The risk of accident is heightened during the transfer while it adds to the discomfort of the patient.
Why doesn’t someone invent a special dental unit that can accommodate a wheelchair? This way there would be no need to transfer the patient on and off the wheelchair. Now there is such a chair. It’s called Versatilt. We can roll the wheelchair onto this special dental chair and then tilt the Versatilt back so that we can examine and treat the patient. When we’re done, we tilt the chair upright and roll the wheelchair off. Presto, the patient can leave. No hassles.
The problem with Versatilt is that the dentist has to dedicate one operating room for wheelchair dentistry. Typically a dentist has three – five dental operating rooms and one may be used by the hygienist. Unless the dentist sees wheelchair–bound patients on a regular basis, it would be difficult to justify devoting an entire operatory to the Versatilt. It is fortunate that our facility has been able to dedicate one operatory to the treatment of special needs patients. In this room we have installed a Versatilt.
Treatment of wheelchair- bound patients is now easier and more convenient than ever before with the use of the Versatilt. “Wheelchair dentistry” has finally arrived.
