How Can Special Needs Dentists Can Meet Patients' Needs

Dental care is a necessity from the moment your first tooth emerges. People of all ages and abilities should see a dentist regularly. However, some patients have special needs due to physical, mental, or developmental conditions. Special needs can make routine dental treatment a challenge, but specialized dentists will do everything possible to rise to the occasion. Here are four things a special needs dentist can do to meet those needs:

1. Use their understanding to practice patience.

People with special needs may have unusual reactions to routine dental services. People with developmental disorders may find dental care particularly distressing. Even people with physical disabilities may have trouble sitting through a dental appointment. Special needs dentists have been trained to treat disabled patients. They have learned about various conditions, which allows them to be patient with those in their care. Seeing a dentist who understands their needs can help patients feel safe and secure throughout their appointments.

2. Tailor dental appointments to suit patients' abilities.

People with certain physical disabilities may have a hard time holding their mouths open for extended periods of time. Bite props are comfortable pieces of rubber or silicone that can be wedged between a patient's teeth to allow them to rest their jaw during their dental appointment. Some patients require frequent breaks to prevent pain from occurring. Other patients are better served by breaking routine dental appointments up into several smaller appointments. Special needs dentists will take each patient's individual needs into consideration when tailoring their dental treatment plan.

3. Offer sedation dentistry options.

Sedation dentistry is offered by many dentists. Even people without special needs sometimes take advantage of sedation dentistry to calm their nerves. Anxiolytic drugs can be an especially important part of special needs dentistry. If dental care poses a safety risk to patients or dentists, full sedation is one available option. General anesthesia can allow dentists to perform cleanings, exams, and restorative treatments while the patient is comfortable and unconscious. Lighter sedation techniques, such as oral or intravenous sedation, can help patients with less severe disabilities.

4. Use special needs equipment.

Some special needs patients need particular physical accommodations. Patients who experience tremors or seizures as part of their physical disability may be a danger to themselves during a dental exam. Fortunately, special needs dentists can offer patient chairs that feature built-in stabilizing straps. These straps allow dentists to secure patients' arms and legs for their comfort and safety.