2 Important Factors To Find In A Dentist That Offers Services For Children With Special Needs

Finding the right dentist to treat your child with special needs can be challenging, but not impossible. Many dentists are trained to treat special needs children, and this training teaches them the best procedures to use to encourage children to cooperate during dental services. If you are nervous about this and unsure what to expect, look for a dentist that offers the following things for children with special needs.

Experience

While choosing a dentist with training is important, it is even more important to select one that has direct experience working with special needs children. You can find this out by calling a dental office and asking questions, such as:

  • What additional training has the dentist received for this?
  • How many patients does the dentist currently have with special needs?
  • How often does the dentist see special needs patients?
  • What are the standard procedures for a first-time visit for a child like this?
  • Does the dentist use any unique methods during visits with special needs kids?

Dentists that have a lot of experience working with children like this will be able to offer quality services that you can feel confident about.

One thing the dentist may recommend is bringing the child in simply to get used to the office. During this visit, the dentist will not actually perform any services. This is just a time for the child to become more acquainted with the office environment. This may help prepare the child for the next visit, which may include getting a teeth cleaning.

Sedation

The second thing that you may want to look for in a dentistry office is the options in sedation. While some children with special needs are able to sit through dental procedures, others cannot, and this is why sedation is important.

Through sedation, children are given medication that helps them relax, which is often necessary to get a child to cooperate during a cavity removal procedure, or even during teeth cleaning. During your initial visit to the office, you can ask about the options available in sedation.

Good oral care is important for everyone, and this is especially true for kids. If you have a child with special needs, you may want to start taking him or her to the dentist at a very young age. This will help the child get used to going, and it may make it easier for you, the child, and the dentist. As you look for a dentist like Gerard Wasselle, DMD for your child, make sure you consider the experience of the dentist and the options available with sedation.


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