Planning a Dental Visit for My Child with Special Needs

At Dentistry for Children, we are passionate about providing young patients in Highland, IN, and the surrounding communities with the highest quality dental care. We’re especially proud to offer special needs dental services and are happy to make the needed accommodations to make every child’s time with us a magical experience. We strive to provide a happy and comfortable space where you and your child feel right at home.

Special Needs – An Overview

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children with special healthcare needs have physical, developmental, sensory, behavioral, mental, or emotional concerns requiring medical management, intervention, or specialized services. Whether your child’s health concerns were present from birth or whether they are developmental or medically complex, it’s important to have a comprehensive dental plan in place.

Common Dental Concerns of Children with Special Needs

Common tooth problems like tooth decay and gum disease can affect children from all walks of life. However, children with special healthcare needs are often at a higher risk of oral health problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, and trauma.

Here’s a look at some of the causes of oral health problems in children with special needs:

Oral Health Concerns: Some congenital disorders cause defects in tooth enamel, developmental delays, missing teeth, and tooth misalignment. Moreover, some children with special smiles are prone to developing gum disease, like children with Down Syndrome.

Difficulty Brushing and Flossing: Children with physical limitations or poor motor skills may have trouble brushing or flossing their teeth properly. That can lead to plaque and tartar buildup, increasing the risk of dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.

Increased Risk of Trauma: Cerebral palsy, seizures, poor muscular coordination, abnormal protective reflexes, and physical limitations can put a child at risk for falls or accidents, leading to dental injuries like broken or knocked-out teeth.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Some children with special healthcare needs deal with GERD, which exposes the teeth to acids from the stomach. That can lead to tooth enamel erosion, tooth wear, and sensitive teeth. It also increases the risk of tooth decay and cavities.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism): Bruxism is a common problem among children with special needs. Children may grind or clench their teeth in their sleep or during the day. Over time, bruxism can cause tooth wear or fracture, as well as jaw and facial pain.

Medications: Children with special healthcare needs often require medications. Sugary syrups or gummy medication increase the risk of cavities. Other drugs can increase the risk of dry mouth, which can also increase the risk of tooth decay.

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist for Your Child with Special Needs?

Pediatric dentists are specialists who undergo extensive training beyond dental school. Their advanced education has a focus on caring for patients with special healthcare needs, including their unique oral concerns and behavior management. Pediatric dentists have the training, experience, and expertise to provide children with special smiles the exceptional dental care they deserve.

At Dentistry for Children, we recognize how scary it can be for our special patients to get the dental care they need and how hard it may be to sit still during treatment. Dr. Halum and his compassionate team are happy to make accommodations to help your child feel more comfortable and at ease. We also offer sedation dentistry options, including nitrous oxide and hospital dentistry, to help your child feel calm and relaxed during treatment. Whatever your child’s needs are, we’ll do everything we can to provide the best possible experience.

What Can You Expect During Your Child’s First Dental Visit?

During the first visit, we will schedule ample time to ensure a thorough review of your child’s medical history, dental history, and any oral health concerns. Dr. Halum will evaluate your child’s oral health and may make recommendations to treat urgent needs or preventive services to keep your child’s smile healthy and bright.

Dr. Halum and our team are also happy to discuss the best preventive home dental care to keep your child’s smile healthy. They are ready to offer tips on accommodations you can make at home to make it easier for your child to maintain good oral hygiene. Home oral care takes just a few minutes a day and helps prevent a host of oral health concerns, allowing your child to enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Preparing for Your Child’s Dental Visit

The following are some tips to set the stage for a comfortable and productive dental visit:

Let Us Know How We Can Help: Let us know ahead of time if there’s anything we can do or if there are any accommodations needed to allow us to be prepared and ready to provide your child with the best possible dental experience.

Pay an Advance Visit: In some cases, it’s helpful to schedule a brief visit to our office to allow your child to explore the waiting room and meet our kid-friendly staff. Being familiar with our office space can pave the way for a more positive and productive dental visit.

Role Play at Home: Children love role play. Have your little one sit back in a recliner chair and pretend you’re at the dentist’s office. Have your child flash those pearly whites so you can look at them one by one. You can also take turns playing “dentist” and caring for a favorite stuffed animal’s teeth. Make this a fun-filled experience to get your little one excited about the upcoming dental visit.

Stay Positive: Kids can pick up on negative emotions or unspoken fears, so even if you are anxious about the upcoming visit, try to stay upbeat. The happier and more positive you seem, the better your child will feel about visiting the dentist.

Special Needs Care Near Me in Highland, IN

Dr. Halum and our compassionate team at Dentistry for Children welcome you and your family to our practice. We are fully equipped and prepared to provide our young patients with special smiles with the quality dental care they need for long-term oral health. Every member of our staff is dedicated to providing your child with the best possible dental experience. We invite you to call our office at 219-924-5437 to schedule an appointment or use our online form to request one today!