If you are the parent or caretaker of a special needs child or adult, you’ve probably learned to take great care in deciding how and when to expose them to certain aspects of life.
When it comes to choosing a qualified dentist for your loved one, it is vital that you understand everything about their approach to special needs patients, including what their practice offers in the way of accessibility, relaxation techniques, and sedation.
Setting the Stage for Positive Early Dental Experiences
Special needs children can experience anxiety at unpredictable times. A good special needs dentist understands that a warm, patient, and compassionate approach is necessary to soothe your child and make them feel safe in the dentist’s chair.
They should also have extensive experience treating all kinds of children, including those who are disabled or have other unique needs. When researching a family or pediatric dentist, always check to see if they offer special services for your child.
Providers who are inexperienced with these patients can unwittingly increase uncooperative behaviors and frustration in your child. Carefully researching your child’s prospective dentist is worth the time and choosing wisely can prevent life-long dental phobias.
Maintaining Oral Health Needs of Special Needs Adults
If you are caring for a special needs adult, it is likely that they’ll continue to require exceptional care by medical and dental professionals alike. Adult special needs patients often require sedation for most dental procedures.
Dental treatment for special needs adults is virtually the same as with children and rests on their individual capacity to tolerate exams and treatments that they may perceive as intrusive.
Essential Dental Services for Special Needs Children and Adults
Sedation Options – While some special needs patients can tolerate a simple exam, many require some level of sedation, be it nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. At the dental practice of Dr. Richard Feldhake, every patient is thoroughly assessed and sedation is recommended based on their particular case and medical history.
A Special Needs Patient Protocol – The dentist you choose should have ample experience and specific skills that apply to the special needs population. They should be able to explain the differences in their approach to your loved one, as compared to other patients.
A Trained Staff – Besides the dentist, the entire team should have training when it comes to treating special needs patients and ways to keep calm and professional in the case of a triggered reaction by a patient. For practices that use pediatric restraints, it is imperative that they know when this method will calm a child, allowing the dentist to complete an exam without sedation, and when it will escalate the uneasiness and apprehension the child is already experiencing.
Handicapped Access – If your child or loved has mobility challenges, be sure to find out how accessible the dental office is, and if they have disabled parking or wheelchair availability.
Compassion is the Key
At Feldhake and Associates, we offer outstanding and compassionate dental care for the special needs population and are dedicated to earning your trust and that of your child or loved one.
Dr. Richard Feldhake has extensive experience working providing special needs dental care at his offices in Glendale and Scottsdale.
If you are seeking dental care for your child or family member, call Feldhake and Associates today!