Anxious Patients Welcome, Glendale, AZ

Dentist for Dental Anxiety in Glendale, AZ: Judgment-Free Care

IV sedation by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist   ·   Independent · Doctor-Owned

Most of our patients were anxious before their first visit. Many hadn't been in years. We built this practice knowing that the hardest part is making the first call.

Schedule a No-Pressure Conversation (480) 530-3663
No-pressure consultations available this week.
4.9  ·  400+ Google Reviews
400+
5-Star Reviews
IV Sedation
Available
Est. 2023
Judgment-Free
You Are Not Alone

Dental Anxiety Is More Common Than You Think.

"Dental anxiety affects an estimated 36% of adults. It's not weakness, it's a real response, and it's one we take seriously."

"Many of our patients told us they were terrified before their first appointment with us. Most come back. Many say it changed how they think about dental care entirely."

"Whatever your past experience, a bad procedure, a dismissive provider, childhood trauma, we've heard it. And we don't judge it. We just focus on what we can do for you now."

The Smile Science Experience

This Is Not a Typical Dental Office.

When you arrive, you'll be welcomed into a calm, quiet space. There's no fluorescent waiting room anxiety here. If you'd like a weighted blanket or noise-cancelling headphones, just ask, they're available before your appointment even begins. Your hygienist will offer a heated massage chair during your cleaning. At the end of your visit, there's a warm scented towel.

None of this is standard in dentistry. We chose to do it because you deserve to feel cared for. Not just treated, cared for. There's a difference, and we feel it matters.

We also go slower when you need it. If you need to pause, we pause. If you need to reschedule because you couldn't bring yourself to walk in that day, we understand that too. We've seen it. We don't take it personally. We just want to earn your trust over time.

"I was in a lot of pain and needed an emergency extraction. I have a serious fear of dentists and I was treated with such kindness and understanding. The TV on the ceiling kept my mind off my stress. They held my hand. The doctor made sure I was in no pain. The receptionist got me in right away even when they were very busy."

Denise W.  ·  Google Review

Weighted Blankets

Available on request before your appointment begins. Proven to reduce anxiety and promote calm.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Block out the sounds of dental equipment. Listen to your own playlist or calming audio during your visit.

Heated Massage Chair

Our hygiene chairs are heated and provide gentle massage during your cleaning. You may actually enjoy it.

Smile Science treatment room - comfortable care environment Smile Science Dental Spa lobby
When Comfort Needs More Support

If You Need More Than Comfort: We Have Sedation.

Our spa environment helps a lot of patients feel genuinely comfortable. But some patients need more, and that's completely valid. We offer two sedation options for any procedure:

Oral conscious sedation: a pill taken before your appointment that leaves you relaxed and aware, with minimal memory of the procedure. Simple, effective, and requires a driver home.

IV sedation: delivered intravenously for deep, sleep-like relaxation. Most patients remember nothing. It's available for any procedure, including complex implant surgery, wisdom teeth, and long restoration appointments.

We never push sedation on patients who don't want or need it. But if you know you need it to get through the door, it's available, and we'll arrange everything for you.

Learn About IV Sedation All Sedation Options →
No Surprises

What Sedation Costs

Oral conscious sedation is $350 added to your procedure cost. For most patients, it is the simplest path to getting through the appointment comfortably.

IV sedation is priced by procedure. Wisdom tooth removal: $1,500 for anesthesia. Full-arch implant surgery: $2,500/arch for anesthesia. For other procedures, your exact fee is confirmed before you commit to anything.

Sedation fees are paid in full, but they can be rolled into a financing plan through CareCredit, Proceed Finance, Cherry, or Sunbit. Most patients qualify for 0% interest options. Ask about this when you call.

No Pressure. No Obligation.

Come In and Just Meet Us First

You don't have to commit to anything at your first visit. Come in, see the office, meet our team, and ask every question you have. If you decide you're not ready, that's okay. We'll be here when you are.

Schedule a No-Pressure Conversation (480) 530-3663
The Doctors

Meet the People Who Will Care for You

Dr. Richard Dawson, DMD
Dr. Richard Dawson, DMD
Co-Founder, Restorative & Surgical

Dr. Dawson co-founded Smile Science in 2023 with the goal of creating a dental practice that prioritizes patient comfort above all else. He has trained in IV sedation and uses it regularly for anxious patients. His approach is calm, patient, and never rushed.

Dr. Turke, DMD
Dr. Turke, DMD
Co-Founder, Restorative & Cosmetic

Dr. Turke focuses on restorative and cosmetic dentistry and is known for his ability to put even the most nervous patients at ease. He is an Invisalign provider and brings a meticulous, gentle approach to every appointment.

What Our Patients Say

4.9 (400+ reviews)

The Smile Science Experience

Dentistry That Feels Different

From your first visit, you will notice we approach things differently. See what patients experience at Smile Science Dental Spa.

Sedation Pricing

We believe comfort should be accessible. Our sedation options are offered at transparent, flat rates.

Oral Conscious Sedation

$350

Added to your procedure cost

  • Pills taken before your appointment
  • You stay awake but deeply relaxed
  • Works for most routine and complex procedures
  • Driver required

IV Sedation (General Anesthesia)

$2,500/arch

Anesthesia fee only, does not include implant or prosthesis cost

  • Administered by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist
  • You are fully unconscious for the procedure
  • Typically used for full-arch implant surgeries
  • Driver required, recovery day recommended

All pricing is transparent and confirmed at your consultation. No surprise add-ons.

Independent & Doctor-Owned

Smile Science is owned entirely by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke -- two practicing dentists with no outside investors, no DSO involvement, and no private equity. The doctors making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice.

Your sedation protocol is determined by your doctor and a board-certified dental anesthesiologist -- not a corporate comfort package.

Your Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Tell us. We stop immediately. You're always in control. We can take breaks, go slower, or use sedation. This is your appointment and you set the pace.
Never. Our entire practice philosophy is built on meeting patients where they are. We've seen everything, and we focus entirely on what we can do for you now, not on how things got this way.
That's what consultations are for. Come in, meet us, ask your questions. There's no obligation at the first visit. Many of our best long-term patients came in with no intention of doing anything, and left feeling ready.
Yes, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation are available for any procedure. Let us know when you call and we'll arrange everything before you arrive.
We establish a stop signal -- usually raising your hand -- before any procedure begins. You are in control at all times. Our team will pause immediately, give you a moment to collect yourself, and continue only when you feel ready. No patient is ever rushed.
You do not have to, but we strongly encourage it. Letting our front desk or clinical team know ahead of your appointment allows us to adjust the pace, explain each step before we do it, and pre-arrange sedation if appropriate. Dental anxiety is common -- our entire team is trained to accommodate it without judgment.
"Twilight sedation" is an informal term most often used to describe oral conscious sedation (OCS) -- a prescription medication taken before your appointment that leaves you relaxed, drowsy, and largely unaware of what's happening, though technically still conscious. Some providers also use "twilight" to refer to light IV sedation. At Smile Science, we offer both OCS and full IV sedation; we'll help you determine which level of support is right for your specific procedure and comfort level.
IV sedation encompasses a spectrum. Light IV sedation leaves you relaxed but responsive. Deeper IV sedation brings you close to unconsciousness -- most patients remember nothing and feel as though they were asleep the entire time. Our board-certified dental anesthesiologist titrates your sedation level throughout the procedure based on your response, so you are never over- or under-sedated. This precision is one of the primary advantages of having an anesthesiologist on site rather than relying on a fixed oral dose.
Oral conscious sedation (OCS) involves taking a prescription sedative -- typically a benzodiazepine such as triazolam -- before your appointment. You remain conscious and can respond to instructions, but you will feel deeply relaxed and will likely have little to no memory of the procedure. OCS is safe for healthy adults when prescribed and supervised appropriately. You will need a driver to bring you home. Dr. Dawson is trained and licensed to provide OCS. For patients who need a deeper level of sedation than OCS provides, we offer IV sedation administered by a board-certified dental anesthesiologist.
Yes. For IV sedation, we work with a board-certified dental anesthesiologist who is present in the operatory for the full duration of your procedure. This is the highest standard of sedation oversight available in a dental office -- the same training and board certification pathway required for hospital anesthesiologists. Having a dedicated anesthesiologist means the dentist can focus entirely on your procedure while a separate, fully qualified specialist manages your sedation and monitors your vitals throughout.
No. We use a board-certified dental anesthesiologist rather than a CRNA. We want to be straightforward about why: CRNAs are highly trained and do excellent work in many settings, but dental IV sedation supervised by a CRNA carries a different liability and oversight profile than physician-directed anesthesia. When we were building the practice, we had a clear choice between those two paths, and we chose the one that we believed offered our patients and our team the highest standard of care. Our anesthesiologist meets the same board certification requirements as a hospital anesthesiologist -- that level of training matters, especially for medically complex patients or longer surgical procedures.
No. Smile Science is 100% owned by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke, two practicing dentists. There are no outside investors, no private equity involvement, and no management company directing clinical decisions. Both owners practice here full time. In a DSO or corporate chain, treatment recommendations can be influenced by investor returns, production quotas, or rotating providers who do not know your history. At Smile Science, the people making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice. They are the doctors you will see at your appointment.
Patient Stories

Hear From Our Patients

Real patients. Real results. Unscripted.

Ariana

Jamie

Sarah

Visit Our Office

20118 N 67th Ave, Ste 308
Glendale, AZ 85308
(480) 530-3663
Mon-Thu 9am-5pm  ·  Fri 9am-2pm
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The First Step Is the Hardest. We Know That.

All we ask is that you reach out. We'll take it from there at whatever pace feels right for you.

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