Special Needs Dentistry
Special needs dentistry is a branch of the industry that caters to people of all physical, mental, and developmental backgrounds. Instead of offering people one set of services, a special needs dentist in Glendale will accommodate the patient based on their needs. It’s not always easy to find a staff that can handle these requests, but it is important to choose a practice that can switch up strategies based on the situation at hand.
What Kinds of Services Does a Special Needs Dentist Offer?
Special needs dentists will offer many of the same services as regular dentists.
- Dental cleanings: From X-rays to evaluations, a special needs dentist will check for gum disease, cavities, as well as other major dental issues. They’ll remove plaque and tartar to ensure the patient’s mouth is sparkling clean by the time they leave.
- Treatment: Treatment for different dental issues runs the gamut based on the condition. For example, a filling is a relatively simple procedure and can usually be accomplished at the same time as the exam. However, if the patient needs a deep cleaning to help treat gum disease, it will usually require a follow-up visit. A special needs dentist can also refer a patient to specialists for more complex dental issues.
- Oral health education: No matter who the patient is, education is an important part of visiting the dentist. After the exam, the dentist will tell a patient what they can do on their end to reduce tooth decay, gum disease, bone deterioration, etc. For some, this may just mean flossing more regularly. For others, though, it may mean an entirely different approach to their oral care.
- Sedation and anesthesia: Not all patients are comfortable in the dentist’s office, regardless of how they’re treated or what procedures they need to be done. Sedation and anesthesia help patients get the services they need without subjecting them to undue stress. This has become a popular option for many people across the board and has led to different tiers of sedation to choose from.
A special needs dentist ultimately wants to prevent the patient from needing major procedures in the future. From standard root canals to major oral surgery, prevention dentistry can help everyone save energy, time, and money throughout the course of their lifetime.
How Special Needs Dentists Help Patients Feel Comfortable
Music, meditative exercise, ADA equipment: a special needs dentist will use all of their available options to help the patient feel comfortable and at ease. Whether the patient has Down’s syndrome, orthopedic impairments, emotional disturbances, ADHD, or another type of disability, the staff at Cherry Creek Dental Arts can find the combination to help them have a more positive experience at the dentist.
Here, we understand that every patient has their own reactions to the dentist. Some patients love to learn more about how to brush and floss, while others will want to get out of the chair as soon as possible. Some may be perfectly calm while their teeth are being cleaned, but they may have a problem if the drill has to come out.
We work with patients and their families to identify all the key triggers before the procedure, and then we adapt as need be to new challenges as they arise. So if you have a child who’s prone to fidgeting even when it comes at a cost to their physical safety, you can trust us to find ways to avoid injury.
Find a Special Needs Dentist in Glendale, CO
If every patient has their own expectations, finding a dentist who can check every box can feel like an impossible task. If you’re looking for a team that can stay flexible from start to finish, you can find them at Cherry Creek Dental Arts. Our dentists have a strong handle not just on the common types of disabilities but also on the nuances that lie behind each one. Contacting us is a step in the right direction, especially if you’ve been avoiding scheduling an appointment out of fear or anxiety.
