Oral healthcare is extremely important for all children, but this is especially true of young ones who have special needs. Their medications, behavioral challenges, or genetic factors may create circumstances that pose a threat to the child’s oral health. As a parent, it is your responsibility to find a special needs dentist in Center who is qualified to address these issues and keep your favorite little smile in great shape. But how can you find such a dentist? Here are a few key things to look for during your search.
Knowledge and Experience
“Special needs” is a broad term that encompasses quite a few different conditions that can affect children. If you’re considering a particular dentist for your child, it’s a good idea to call the office and tell them about your child’s specific circumstances. Be sure to ask:
- Do you have experience dealing with cases similar to my child’s?
- What specific steps might you take to ensure that my child is comfortable in your office?
- Do you use sedation for special needs children? What types of sedation?
- What are some common oral health challenges that affect children with my child’s condition?
The answers you receive to these questions will help you get a feeling for whether a dental practice has the knowledge and confidence required to care for your little one’s teeth and gums.
Compassion
Even children without special needs may experience a level of dental anxiety, but the situation can be much worse for kids who have certain cognitive or behavioral challenges. That’s why it’s so important to find a dentist who takes a compassionate, patient approach to caring for kids.
One way to learn how a dentist interacts with patients is through online reviews. You can also ask for referrals from fellow parents. You may learn, not just about the doctors in a practice, but also about the attitudes of the staff members and the overall atmosphere in the office.
Time
Scheduling dental appointments in a way that minimizes downtime without rushing patients through their appointments is a delicate balancing act. Some dental practices do not understand that the amount of time they block off for the appointment of a non-special needs child isn’t adequate for a child with special needs. Special needs appointments often take longer because keeping the patient calm and relaxed may require that the dentist works at a slower pace.
When you’re scheduling an appointment for your child, be sure to mention that they are special needs and ask if the practice will allow extra time to care for them.
Are you looking for a special needs dentist in Center for your child? We hope the above tips will help you find the perfect one.
About the Dentist
Dr. Thomas Youngblood is an affiliate member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He enjoys working with all types of youngsters, including those with special needs. If you would like to talk to Dr. Youngblood about your child’s oral healthcare or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at 936-657-1942.