My name is Dr. Jim Scapillato, and I have been a dentist over fifty years practicing privately in Oak Park, Illinois.
This is important to you for three reasons:
- I have a history of treating patients with care and compassion. In my general practice I have treated four generations of families
- I’m independent, which means I am not dictated to by corporations who medal in directing patient care purely to make a bigger buck for shareholder’s bottom lines
- I have a proven record of successfully treating and caring for patients with special needs.
Breaking the ‘Special Needs’ Stigma in Dentistry
How Dr. Scapillato Began Treating Special Needs Patients:
Society has developed into one where no one is immune to judgement. We see everyone being that of something different from ourselves. There is a group in our society that has long carried the moniker of being ‘different.’ It is those individuals that society has dubbed as having ‘special needs.’ Fifty years ago, they were referred to as retarded, but we have become a kinder, softer, more understanding society… or have we?
The title hung on these folks does not matter. Deep down, they are no different than anyone else. They are normal people trapped in bad bodies. They are intelligent, caring, loving, vibrant people, they simply cannot express and communicate the same as others. Therefore, society sees them as different… special compared against accepted societal norms. However, they’re not always treated specially, often shunned, or at least hidden from.
To me, every dental patient in my office presents with a unique set of challenges or needs. Some may simply fear the dentist, while others might require extensive dental treatments. Others may have conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or autism. It is unfortunate that in many dental offices people are treated differently based on how a practice classifies them; either as a standard patient or one who requires more care. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination in access to services for people with disabilities, instances of exclusion still persist. In some well-meaning practices it can resemble managed neglect. Every person is entitled to access to great dental care.
In my eyes, the difference between a patient who fears the dentist (what other practices would classify as ‘normal’) and one who is autistic is not their condition or status but rather the challenges they face, due to their personal situation. Here, every patient is special, and we treat everyone as an individual, focusing on their specific needs without relying on labels or classifications. Instead of those with special needs, we see them as patients with diverse abilities and treat them as the individual they are.
That is how we are different!
What is at stake?
A patient’s overall health is deeply interconnected with their oral health—after all, the mouth remains an integral part of the body. While this connection has always existed, it is only recently that the American Medical Association has fully acknowledged its significance. For individuals with diverse abilities, this link is even more crucial, as accessing quality dental care has historically been more challenging—until now.
My practice takes a complete care approach with patients. Often the first appointment is about getting to know and becoming comfortable with one another. In many practices, dentists are quick to get to diagnosing and prescribing. Instead, it is important we first build trust.
"How do you treat a person with special needs? Like a person."
Tony Danza (actor)
Meet Valeria Zarnowiecki & Rose's Story
My daughter Rose is 23 years old, she looks like any young adult, though she has speech and motor skill delays. That being said, the dentists I took her to were impatient with her skills. Dr. Scapillato was the first dentist I took Rose to who sat and talked with her before ever wanting to talk about dentistry.
Valeria Zarnowiecki
While the practice is a business, patient comfort is our top priority. Without creating a sense of trust and security, no treatment or care can effectively be provided. Only once that trust is built can we begin to examine and care for our patients.
It has long been Dr. Scapillato’s mission to create a network of dentists who specialize in treating special needs patients. March 23, 2023, marked the inaugural launch of the Special Needs Day of Dentistry, an annual event where the entire day is dedicated to treating only this gifted group of patients. The event was featured on WMAQ-Channel 5 Chicago. Lauren Petty reported on the story.
For patients with special needs, quality of life extends far beyond dental care alone; it encompasses physical comfort, emotional well-being, and social inclusion. While proper dental care is essential for maintaining health, factors like the ability to comfortably eat, interact, and smile play a vital role in their overall happiness and self-esteem. Patients with special needs often face barriers to accessing dental care, and when they do receive it, the quality-of-life improvements can be profound—alleviating pain and improving their ability to engage with others. It is not only about dentistry, but rather ensuring they live fulfilling lives.
CLICK TO READ How did a Large Cup of Decaf Dunkin Donuts Coffee Changed the Course of Dental Care for One Young Disabled Boy?
A true story…
A father hangs up the phone after scheduling a dental appointment with yet another different dental office for his disabled son in hopes that this time this office will be different. Dan Montville sighs because he knows the Warriors Website sales copy.docx challenges he has faced in the past trying to find his son Oscar competent, quality dental care. Montville details he and Oscar’s adventures in the 2009 lighthearted biographical book, Disabled Fables, where he shares “Going Mental Over Dental,” the story of finally finding Dr. Scapillato.
Our Services
The full range of dental services (Preventative, Restorative, Cosmetic) are available to all Special Needs patients, but the extent to which any service is deliverable is based on patient cooperation. In extreme cases there is the availability of in-office sedation for delivery of needed dental care.
Are we right for you and your loved one?
Do not take our word, hear from people like yourself about the care our diverse-ability patients receive.
Treating Special Needs Patients - National Syndicated TV Show broadcast:
The percentage of private dental offices that treat patients with special needs is relatively low. Many private practices are not fully equipped or trained to handle the unique requirements of these patients. Surveys indicate that common barriers include a lack of proper training, inadequate facilities, and the fact that many dentists do not participate in Medicaid, which is often used by special needs individuals for dental care. While some offices are equipped to serve this community, a large portion of dentists and dental offices are ill-equipped to care for these patients, despite their best intentions to try.
Our office is designed to accommodate the space needed for standard and motorized wheelchair access, with wider doors and entry ways into our dental operatories.
The Cost of Dental Care
For many patients, finding dental care is just the first hurdle—the second is managing the cost. To help make dental care accessible, we collaborate with all dental insurance providers to identify the most affordable and suitable solutions for our patients. Our goal is to ensure that, regardless of the services needed or the costs involved, every patient can receive the care they require without financial strain.
Dr. Scapillato has witnessed firsthand the physical and emotional toll families endure as they search tirelessly for care, only to be halted when they discover they can’t afford the necessary treatments. The frustration and helplessness that come from financial barriers add an overwhelming burden to families already struggling to find proper healthcare.
Special Smiles Foundation vision video:
We have a number of financial solutions for families regardless of insurance or no insurance.
Dr. Scapillato made the decision to make treating the special needs community a major part of his private dental practice. And hence, the formation of the Special Smiles Foundation. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing financial assistance to ensure that individuals with special needs receive the high-quality dental care they deserve. Patients must qualify for treatment through the foundation, though the office facilitates all the necessities required to submit for qualification and potentially complete or partial funding.
Patients with diverse abilities often require a level of sensitivity and understanding that goes beyond routine dental visits. A tailored approach, centered on comfort and trust, can make all the difference in ensuring a positive experience while addressing their unique challenges. Compassionate care not only alleviates physical discomfort but also reduces the emotional strain families endure when searching for the right provider.
The impact of this kind of care is reflected in the heartfelt testimonials of patients and their families. Many express relief and gratitude for finding a dental practice that prioritizes their loved ones’ comfort and dignity. These stories serve as powerful evidence that compassionate dental care is not just a necessity—it’s transformative.
From: Sabina Ciesielski and Mark
Sabina Ciesielski-Mark's Story:
Sabina Ciesielski: "When you’re around someone who cannot talk long enough, who signs, you would think they would pick up a little in order to communicate. We have an entire family where most of the relatives who haven’t picked up one or two signs to talk to Mark: not even hello or goodbye. Yet a stranger, Dr. Scapillato, made it his business to be able to communicate with Mark. His staff is able to talk to Mark in sign language. Those are the little acts of kindness; they are the diamonds in my day. There are few people in this world who make it their mission to help the handicapped. That is Dr. Scapillato and his staff. His compassion is unmatched; and I know. I have spent most of my life (and all of Mark’s) shuttling him from one doctor to another. We found a home at Family Dental Care of Oak Park; so much so that my husband and I have been patients for a long time. I felt that if someone cared enough to take care of my son the way Dr. Scapillato did, then I wanted that same care and compassion for my dental care."
From: Kathleen Breault and Kiera
Kathleen Breault-Kiera's Story:
Kathleen Breault: "Dr. Scapillato is one of the most patient and thorough people I've ever had work on me. or Kiera. I think he's calmer and he's worked with all different degrees of issues with handicapped individuals. So that’s a plus; and she knows him. So that makes it better."
From: Michelle Prod
Michele Prod-Matthew's Story:
The only option available to us for Matthew was seeing ‘regular’ dentists. They always struggled with Matthew, and most wouldn’t treat him without restraining him, which only made things worse. Matthew never had x-rays of his teeth because he couldn’t sit still long enough. When Matthew turned eighteen, the dentist we were seeing told me he could no longer see him because he was too old. That was a common experience, to get passed on from one dentist to another.
But, as many times I took Matthew to the dentist I would ask if I should be seeing a dentist who specializes in special needs patients. I looked and looked, but never found a dentist who was for special needs, until I was referred to Dr. Scapillato. When I first brought Matthew here, I asked if they would restrain him and Dr. Scapillato told me that he did not do that. We were so pleased with how Matthew was being cared for that my entire family jumped ship from the dental practices we were going to and went to Dr. Scapillato.
Jim treated Matthew for a long time, up until he moved into a resident home. He’s now seen by a dentist there; but even now, Jim is always asking about Matthew, to make sure he’s being cared for properly.
From: Mary Ellen Lesniak
Jack & Mary Ellen Lesniak-Kathy's Story:
After seeing Dr. Scapillato and his team featured on NBC Channel 5, I immediately made an appointment for my 13-year-old autistic son. He and I have had many experiences that left me feeling that no one in the
With all the dentistry that Dr. Scapillato did with our daughter Kathy, he did it with her sitting in my lap. I never had bad experiences myself, through my childhood, and I needed someone like that for Kathy.
Later in her life, she had trouble swallowing. One time when in the office Dr. Scapillato was using the device that sucks the water out of your mouth. Kiddingly, I said to Jim that I needed one of those things for Kathy. He said that he had an old one at home and that he could have it fixed up and let us have it. Until the day that Kathy passed away, we had that aspirator that Jim fixed up, with his own money for us to have at home.
The thing about Kathy was that she could smile. She couldn’t talk, she couldn’t walk, she couldn’t verbalize, but she could smile.
Sometimes God puts people on this earth for special reasons. Dr. Scapillato is one of those people.
From: Robin Fuerner
Robin Fuerner-Julie's Story:
Dr. Scapillato and his staff always worked to make Julie as comfortable as possible. They asked what things Julie liked. She loved the musical group Abba, specifically the soundtrack to the movie Mama Mia. They went out of their way to make sure that music was available for Julie to listen to on her visits. They would give her a pair of headphones to wear during her visits. It calmed and relaxed her. When she listened, she would clap and yell Mama Mia, Mama Mia. I just loved how she felt like she was at home here.
From: Jen Barr
After seeing Dr. Scapillato and his team featured on NBC Channel 5, I immediately made an appointment for my 13-year-old autistic son. He and I have had many experiences that left me feeling that no one in the medical/dental community is willing to listen to us. I have always felt as if my son and I were...Dismissed. Ignored. Neglected. Isolated.
It has been a nightmare! - UNTIL WE FOUND DR. SCAPILLATO!!
My son sat in the doctor’s chair for over an hour with minimal or no sensory overload issues to speak of :) THIS IS A FEAT IN ITSELF! I attribute this to not only the doctor’s care, but also the attentive, sincere, passionate work of the dental hygienist who took care of Nolan, too. She had a thirst for knowledge when it came to my son’s specific dental issues as well as my concerns.
The doctor and his team provided the most comprehensive diagnosis and treatment that suits MY son and HIS specific dental needs. The quality of care and comprehensive explanation of oral care at home the hygienist provided went beyond ANY other dental visit explanation we have EVER experienced. The hygienist used state of the art equipment, visuals, and dental models to explain/suggest how I should take care of Nolan’s teeth at home. I learned so much about certain bacteria in our mouth, the proper technique to use to brush Nolan’s teeth, and the health of every single tooth in Nolan’s mouth. It was so eye-opening!
I observed the entire examination. The doctor and his team took the time and effort to get to know Nolan first. I felt the compassion the team had for Nolan and the willingness to tackle his dental issues- at Nolan’s speed and pace! While here, Nolan felt more relaxed when they spoke slowly and clearly, in a soft, calm voice. The hygienist did just that! We are used to people staring, telling us to go elsewhere, and dismissing us. We didn’t feel that way at Family Dental Care of Oak Park. From the second we checked in at the front desk...I knew this was the place for us :)
From: Maria Sanchez
I called dental office after dental office for my 20-year-old daughter Ivelisse. Those that would see her told me that she had many cavities and that they couldn’t do the work on her. I felt like I was on an island all alone trying to figure out who was going to take care of these cavities for my daughter.
Despite my daughter’s disabilities, she deserves the same kind of care and attention I get. She should not be neglected. I am appalled at how many of these kids get neglected. It was a Godsend finding Dr. Jim.
Sabina Ciesielski-Mark's Story:
Kathleen Breault-Kiera's Story:
Michele Prod-Matthew's Story:
Jack & Mary Ellen Lesniak-Kathy's Story:
Robin Fuerner-Julie's Story:
The saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, it requires unity, compassion, and care to build a community. At Family Dental Care of Oak Park, we have created such a community; a safe haven for people with unique abilities and their families. The first step is to call the office and schedule a virtual meet-and- greet with Dr. Scapillato. If you would like to schedule an appointment, call our office at (708) 294-7460.