Special Patient Care

The goal of the Special Patient Care Center is to provide outstanding oral health care to individuals whose needs are complicated by serious medical conditions. Patient Care Center providers are faculty members of the UMKC School of Dentistry, post-doctoral residents, and selected advanced-level undergraduate dental students receiving training in the management of patients with special needs. For more information about the services available click on any of the links below or contact us at:

Special Patient Care Center
UMKC School of Dentistry
650 E. 25th Street
Kansas City, MO  64108
Telephone:  (816) 235-2160
Fax:  (816) 235-2166
email: spcc@umkc.edu 

Clinics

• Oncology Dental Support       
• Oral Care for Patients with Complicated Medical Conditions

ABOUT YOUR APPOINTMENT
To schedule an appointment, call (816) 235-2160 during regular business hours. Our fax number is (816) 235 2166.

Please allow ample time for travel and parking at the clinic. There is NO charge to park at the UMKC School of Dentistry. Map.

Remember to bring your health/dental insurance card with you whenever you visit the center.

SPCC Office Hours
Monday through Friday:
8:00 a.m. to 12:00noon
Closed for lunch (12-1 p.m.)
1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Closed on holidays

ABOUT YOUR BILL AND INSURANCE
Special Patient Care Clinic fees are in the range of private practice fees. However, a key focus for us is to make every attempt to provide cost-effective care. After your first visit, we will evaluate your care needs and suggest a treatment plan. Whenever possible, you will also receive a cost estimate which, based on your family’s income, may be reduced.

Processing of insurance claims is a service provided to our patients. You should check with your plan’s customer service department to verify whether your insurance covers services provided by the Special Patient Care Clinic.

MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards are accepted. Payment is due when services are rendered unless you have made other financial arrangements in advance.

CLINICS
All of our patient care is based on scientific evidence. Our providers keep current with the latest scientific literature. For links to evidence-based dentistry sites and others that provide useful information related to the care we provide to our patients please click on the following link.

Oncology Dental Support
Our clinic serves as go-between the oncologist and the dentist for patients with cancer. Dentists and others provide evaluation and medically necessary oral health care for those needing radiation therapy to the head and neck, chemotherapy and blood/marrow transplantation. The goal of the program is to prevent and/or ease the oral complications associated with many cancer therapies and to identify and treat oral conditions that can result in serious complications as a result of cancer therapy. Educational materials and dental procedures are shared with the patients’ general dentists to ensure appropriate long-term dental management.

Oral Care for Patients with Complicated Medical Conditions
The comprehensive dental services offered by this clinic are designed specifically to assist patients with serious medical conditions. Dentists and others evaluate and manage oral and dental conditions that are caused by many medical problems. The clinic also manages individuals whose medical conditions may make it difficult for them to receive traditional dental treatment.

MORE INFORMATION
Child Care
Child care is NOT available during your Special Patient Care Center visit. We ask that you make arrangements for your child’s care prior to your appointment. Children are not allowed in our treatment area and unattended children are not permitted in the reception area.

Compliments/Concerns
Listening to our patients is essential to the continuous improvement of our clinics. If you have a concern about the care you receive, or would like to tell us about a positive experience with a staff member or caregiver, please call or write the Special Patient Care Center, ATTENTION: Kathy Dockter.

Special Patient Care Center
UMKC School of Dentistry
650 E. 25th Street
Kansas City , MO   64108
Telephone:  (816) 235-2160
Fax:  (816) 235-2166 email: spcc@umkc.edu

Food and Beverages
The Dental School Canteen on Level 2 has vending machines available at all hours.

A McDonald’s restaurant is located on the south side (Charlotte Street) of Truman Hospital on the street level. A selection of fast food items is available. 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily

Crown  Center is located directly to the west of the School of Dentistry.  A variety of fast food and casual dining is available there throughout the day.

Interpreter Services
We may be able to provide an interpreter at no charge for the first visit only to patients who do not speak English or have limited English proficiency. We can accommodate individuals with hearing impairments. To assure an interpreter is available for you, call the Special Patient Care Center care to coordinate at (816) 235-2160.  

Patient Records/Charts
Copies of your Special Patient Care Center records may be obtained through arrangements with the SPCC receptionist. A fee is charged for the copies, and requests must be made in writing. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to Monday through Friday. For more information, call (816) 235-2160.

Parking (link to map)
Parking for Special Patient Care Center patients is adjacent to the west (Gilham Road) side of Children’s Mercy Hospital . After you turn into the west-side entrance to Children’s Mercy, you will stop and request entrance at a control gate.

Research
Like many of the medical and dental departments at the University, we occasionally approach our patients about participation in research studies. Our research coordinator may ask if you are interested in participating in a particular research project. There is absolutely no obligation on your part to agree to participate. If you decide not to participate in a study, your treatment in the center will continue without modification or disruption.

Smoking Policy
The UMKC School of Dentistry is committed to providing a safe, smoke-free environment for patients, visitors and staff members. The entire School of Dentistry is designated as a non-smoking area. There are designated smoking areas outside of the school building.

Telephones
Public telephones are located on each floor of the UMKC School of Dentistry and in the main lobby.

Wheelchairs
If you require assistance with transferring from your wheelchair into the dental chair and back, you will need to provide your own assistant. We do not have personnel that can aid in lifting patients.  

FACULTY AND STAFF
All of our faculty and staff are caring people whose primary aim is to serve you and ensure that you get the best oral care possible. Any of them may be contacted at the address and telephone number given below or by using their own email address.

Please contact us at:

650 East 25th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 235-2160 (office)
(816) 235- 2166 (fax)
e-mail: spcc@umkc.edu

Leonard Lausten, D.D.S., Director
laustenl@umkc.edu

Kathy Dockter, R.D.H, M.S. Patient Care Clinical Manager
dockterk@umkc.edu

Cielo Barragan-Adjemian, D.D.S.
barraganc@umkc.edu

Kirstin McCarville, D.D.S.
ktmy8b@umkc.edu

Martin G. VanHorn, Office Manager
spcc@umkc.edu

Dana L. Dillon, Certified Dental Assistant
spcc@umkc.edu

Karen Martin, Dental Assistant
spcc@umkc.edu

Tammy Woods, Dental Assistant
spcc@umkc.edu

USEFUL DENTAL LINKS FOR OUR PATIENTS
National Oral Health Information Clearing House
Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer, Inc.
American Cancer Society
National Oral Cancer Awareness Program
American Dental Association
Health Information Guide
health topics and resources
American Porphryia Foundation
information about fibromyalgia