My Child Has Special Needs — What Will Their Dentist Visit Look Like?

Having a child with special needs introduces a lot of variety into your life. They probably help you see the world differently. 

That brings a lot of joy, but it can also bring challenges. Take going to the dentist, for example. Lots of kids are afraid of this kind of medical care. When your child has special needs, though, unwillingness can translate into uncooperativeness. And that can mean they don’t get the oral healthcare they need. 

We want to help. When Irene Zaki, DDS, chose pediatric dentistry, she did so with the goal of helping all kids. That includes those with special needs. If your family has been looking for a dentist, come see our caring team at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry in Riverside, California.

Tailoring care to your child

Dr. Zaki and our team understand that visiting our office can be a scary experience for children with special needs. That’s why we work to eliminate or minimize factors that could further contribute to their stress. 

If loud noises bother your child, for example, let us know when you schedule their appointment. We can put a note on file so everyone — from the team that greets you at the front desk to Dr. Zaki — speaks softly to and around them. 

If their worry comes from fear of the unknown, we can work with you to offset that unease. You might introduce dental-focused media, like Elmo’s trip to the dentist, beforehand. Once you’re at our office, we can further help to desensitize them.

Some kids feel more comfortable if they see their parents getting care first. We might have you briefly sit in the chair as we demo treatment for them. Our team can also crouch down so that we’re at eye level. And we can explain care before we perform it. 

As their parent, you have a good sense of what works and what doesn’t for your child. Please let us know what we can do to make their experience more comfortable. 

We pair your guidance with guidelines from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Our goal is to provide a safe, positive experience for your family.  

If your child still has a miserable time or won’t let us provide the necessary care, we can also use sedation dentistry. 

Sedation dentistry for kids with special needs

Dr. Zaki offers multiple levels of sedation dentistry, ranging from laughing gas (nitrous oxide) to intravenous (IV) sedation that puts the child fully to sleep. We can help your family find what’s right. 

For many kids, nitrous oxide makes the time in our office a pleasant, much less stressful experience. 

That said, for some kids with special needs, wearing the mask that administers the laughing gas feels like too much. We can alternatively provide oral sedation that they take in the form of a pill before they come to our office. This way, they can feel more at ease before they ever get in the car. 

We want to come alongside you to support your family. To see a dental team that specializes in serving kids with special needs, call Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry or schedule online today.