At Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dental care for children with special health care needs. These may include physical, developmental, sensory, behavioral, or cognitive conditions that require specialized attention.
Just as with every other patient, special needs patients should receive dental care that is catered to them as an individual. At our office, we provide services and extra support needed to make your child feel at ease and comfortable.
A lot of kids get nervous or scared for their dental appointments, but for kids with special needs the experience can be more challenging. Finding a pediatric dentist who tends to your child’s emotions as well as their teeth is important in this regard. Some strategies for emotional support may include:
Child sitting on parent’s lap
Playing a favorite show or music for the child
Allowing the child to bring a favorite toy
Taking breaks during the cleaning procedure
Talking with the child lightheartedly throughout the visit
Involving parents in every aspect of the dental care
When it comes to accommodating children with physical special needs, a number of measures can be taken to make their dental exam a satisfactory experience. Whether it be assisting the patient from a wheelchair to the dental chair and/or stabilizing the patient with extra support with cushions or staff, having their own private room, our team is happy to help!
Sometimes patients with cognitive disabilities or developmental delays may need additional support both physically and emotionally. Some behavioral techniques that a dental team may use to help maintain a calm and at ease demeanor are:
Showing the child each tool and explaining the procedure step-by-step
Rewarding the child with a prize at the end of the visit
Possibly breaking up a routine exam into several smaller and shorter dental visits
