Dental care for special needs patients requires a very specific combination of expertise, training, and experience. The patient’s age and medical history will play an important role in determining how the procedure should be performed, as well as how best to communicate about the procedure to the patient.
Our staff is skilled in working with children and adults on the autism spectrum, as well as those with Down syndrome or other physical or cognitive disabilities. We have extensive experience caring for patients with anxiety or phobias associated with dental care. We are also trained in helping patients who may have difficulty maintaining their oral health due to conditions like cerebral palsy or intellectual disability.
Special needs dentistry is a dentistry practice that caters to people who have disabilities or mental health challenges. These special needs patients may have trouble sitting in a traditional dentist chair, so the dental office itself is set up with alternative seating options. The dentist will also customize their care based on each individual patient’s needs.
For example, some dentists will offer headphones to drown out the sounds of the dental office. Other dentists may allow patients to bring their own music player and headphones so they can listen to music during their appointment. Some dentists offer soothing essential oils and weighted blankets during appointments as well.
In addition to the physical changes that part of this type of practice, there are also psychological changes that make it easier on these sensitive patients. The waiting room is often made quieter with fewer people around at once and softer lighting. And the staff is trained to be more patient and understanding of patients with special needs as well.
Another benefit of special needs dentistry is that most of these practices accept Medicaid insurance.
Having a dentist for special needs patients near you can help to ensure that your child’s care is appropriate and comfortable. We treat children with special needs in an atmosphere of support and compassion. Our staff members have had training in working with special-needs patients and implementing procedures that are painless and effective. When you bring your child to our dental office, they’ll be treated as an individual with their own specific needs. We’ll do everything we can to make them feel at ease so they can work towards having a healthy smile.
Our professional, caring staff are experts at working with people who have disabilities or other conditions that make it harder to get the dental care they need, and we take pride in being able to help our clients overcome those challenges. Our staff will work with you and your loved ones to ensure that any treatments you receive are as painless and stress-free as possible, as well as completely safe while also getting the job done.
Our staff has worked hard to build relationships with other professionals in the community, so that no matter what your child’s specific needs are, we will be able to ensure they receive the best care possible.
We also understand that going to the dentist can be scary for anyone, and especially challenging for children with special needs. That’s why our offices implement an open-door policy: if at any time during your visit you feel like you’re not being treated with respect or professionalism, please let us know immediately. Our staff takes great pride in making sure everyone who comes through our doors feels like part of our family—that’s why we call all of our patients “family.”