Book excerpt: This issue of Dental Clinics of North America focuses on Special Care Dentistry, and is edited by Dr. Burton Wasserman. Articles will include: Mental Health Issues and Special Care Patients; Tools and Equipment for Managing Special Patients Anywhere; Ensuring Maintenance of Oral Hygiene in Persons with Special Needs; The Dental Needs and Treatment of Down Syndrome Patients; Americans with Disabilities: Its Importance in Special Care Dentistry; Making Treatment for Special Needs Patients an Important Part of Your Growing Dental Practice; Treatment of Orally Handicapped Edentulous Older Adults; Communicating with Patients with Special Health Care Needs; Dental Materials Update for the Special Care Dentist; Neurologic Diseases in Special Care Patients; The Special Needs of Preterm Children: An Oral Health Perspective, and more!