Do You Need a Special Needs Dentist?

Going to the dentist and sitting in a dental chair for treatment isn’t easy for everyone. In fact, there are several physical, mental or behavioral disabilities that can make professional dental care a real challenge. If you have a member of your family that requires special needs dentistry, it is important to find a dentist who is qualified to offer them the care they deserve.

Not every dentist has the resources and training to treat patients with special needs. This requires an extra level of specialized training beyond the baseline dental education that is offered in dental school. At Laguna West Dental, we proudly treat special needs patients of all ages in our Elk Grove office.

What You Can Expect from a Special Needs Dentist

It takes patience and compassion to work with patients who have special needs. Beyond their soothing temperament, a qualified special needs dentist has also undergone training the following areas of study:

• Communication with patients and their caregivers
• Psychology and behavioral studies
• Sedation dentistry
• Provision of physical access to facilities

Patients Who Should Consider a Special Needs Dentist

Not sure if you or your family member could benefit from special needs dentistry? Here are some common situations that warrant this type of dental care:

Certain Medical Conditions
There are several medical conditions that can directly impact oral health or make you more vulnerable to certain dental health problems. You may require extra monitoring from your dentist.

Physical Disability
A patient that uses a wheelchair will need an accessible environment in the dental office and help getting into the dental chair. Others may have cerebral palsy or other physical limitations that make it difficult to get comfortable.

Cognitive Limitations
Dementia, severe Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury or even ADHD are mental conditions that can make it difficult for a patient to sit still through a dental procedure. These cognitive limitations may also obstruct their ability to practice good oral hygiene at home and require them to schedule more frequent dental cleanings.

Behavioral Issues or Psychiatric Problems
A special needs dentist is trained with the communication skills it takes to deal with difficult situations and ease the potentially severe anxiety of certain patients. It takes a trained dentist to emit the patience and tactics necessary to manage or de-escalate these situations.

Call Laguna West Dental today to learn more about our tactics and services that cater to special needs patients. We want to make dental care a positive and comfortable experience for every patient that walks through our doors.