If you’re the parent of a child or adult child with special needs, you know some things like a dental visit can be challenging. Depending on your child’s needs, there are a few things you can do to make their visit go more smoothly.
Prepare for The Visit
There are lots of things that you can do to help your child know what to expect during their visit.
You can look at the dentist’s website together and look at staff pictures to familiarize your child with whom they will meet. You can watch videos of a dental office visit. Likewise, you can drive by the dental office to show your child where they will be going. You can even play with dental toys at home to help your child get comfortable with what happens at the dentist.
Most importantly, speak positively about dental visits to reduce fear and anxiety.
Communicate with Your Dental Team
You know your child better than anyone, so the best thing you can do is communicate with your dental team about any accommodations that will help during the visit.
For instance, you can ask for dimmed lights, a longer appointment time, for staff to speak in hushed tones, sedation options, and so on.
Also, it may be helpful for your child to see the same hygienist and dentist each time to reduce anxiety about meeting new people.
At Smoler Smiles, we understand the wide range of issues these children & patients face and can accommodate for those needs. Our team is compassionate, understanding for patients with physical, medical, developmental, or cognitive conditions. We suggest IV Sleep Sedation as an option for special needs patients.
IV Sleep Sedation
IV Sleep Sedation is a safe, reliable, and comfortable, IV conscious sedation can help make any dental procedure a more pleasant experience.
IV Sleep Sedation Is an Option For:
- Wheelchair patients
- Adults with Autism
- Children with Autism
- Down Syndrome
- Alzheimer’s
- Cerebral Palsy
- Mentally Challenged
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Nervous/Fearful
- Gaggers
- Allergic to Local Anesthetic
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Cannot numb
- Multiple Cavities
- Seizure Disorders
IV Sleep Sedation is not just for special needs patients, patients with anxiety can benefit too. Or if you have a sensitive gag reflex, suffer from neck or back pain, or have TMD (or another neuromuscular disorder), IV sedation may be right for you as well.
Consult with your dentist prior to your appointment and carefully consider your medical history and current health. With these factors in mind, your doctor can help find the level of sedation that works for you or your child.
Your dental team is there to make sure your dental visit goes smoothly. Don’t be bashful about communicating your needs.
Call our office and let us know your needs for your child or a patient with special needs.
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