Dr. Richard Dawson, DMD

No. Dr. Dawson is a general dentist. He completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree at Midwestern University and pursued advanced post-graduate training in implant surgery and sedation, earning ICOI Fellowship and OCS certification in Arizona. General dentists with fellowship-level implant training routinely perform implant surgery — the distinction from oral surgery is academic licensing, not clinical scope. Dr. Dawson handles the full cycle of implant care: imaging, planning, placement, and restoration, entirely in-house.

Dr. Dawson's primary clinical focus is dental implants, bone grafting, complex extractions, full-arch rehabilitation, and sedation dentistry. He also provides comprehensive general and preventive dentistry for all ages. For the most complex full-arch and revision implant cases, he works in collaboration with Dr. Christopher Barrett, a nationally active full-arch implantologist who sees patients at Smile Science by appointment.

ICOI stands for the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Fellowship (FICOI) is a post-graduate credential awarded to dentists who complete an advanced curriculum in implant dentistry and pass a clinical examination. It indicates a structured commitment to implant education beyond dental school and is recognized internationally as a mark of advanced implant training.

Yes. Dr. Dawson holds OCS (Oral Conscious Sedation) certification in Arizona, which allows him to administer oral sedatives that reduce anxiety and discomfort during treatment. For patients requiring deeper sedation for complex or lengthy procedures, Smile Science works with a board-certified dental anesthesiologist who administers IV sedation on-site. This allows patients with significant dental anxiety or complex treatment needs to be treated comfortably in the dental chair.

Yes, Smile Science Dental Spa accepts new patients. You can schedule online at any time through our booking system, or call (480) 530-3663. For emergencies requiring same-day care, call the office directly and we will do our best to accommodate you the same day.

Yes — Smile Science was designed specifically with anxious patients in mind. The practice is structured to avoid the assembly-line feel of high-volume dental offices. Appointments are not over-scheduled. Dr. Dawson takes time to explain every step before it happens. For patients who need pharmacological support, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation options are available.

Smile Science is in-network with many major dental insurance plans. For a current list of accepted plans, please contact the office at (480) 530-3663. Patients without insurance can ask about our in-house Smile Science Membership Plan, which provides access to preventive care at a predictable annual cost.