When it comes to dentistry, there may be cases that may be beyond the scope of the usual care. Some may need a dentist that handles special situations. If you are looking for a special needs dentist near me, then you might want to keep reading.

What does a special needs dentist do? Can you be seen by them during normal business hours? We will be answering these and more questions in a bit.

Don’t think for a moment that you are too far away from a dentist for special needs. You may ask around and see who can handle your accommodations if need be. Let’s explain what special needs dentistry is so you have a good idea of what it entails:

What is special needs dentistry?

A special needs dentist is someone who specializes in dental care. Their patients have issues that can make things difficult for a general dentist. Special needs dentists will work with those that have certain conditions or disabilities. including medical, developmental, intellectual, physical, and sensory disabilities. 

These are the types of dentists that work with certain conditions. They include autism, Asperger’s, Down Syndrome, and Alzheimer’s Disease. They accommodate those with injuries to the spinal cord and other related conditions. Some with certain conditions may not need special needs dentistry.

Someone who may be autistic but highly functioning can be able to visit a general dentist with no issues. But a special needs dentist will ensure that a patient’s dental visit will be comfortable.

How to find a special needs dentist near me?

A special needs dentist may not be too far away from you. You can plug into Google ‘special needs dentist near me, you can find results on where the nearest one is located. You could be in the same town as one or may need to make a trip out of town.

If you have a child who has special needs, start by searching for pediatric dentists in your area. They specialize in children. And often provide a safe and comfortable environment for their patients. 

Pediatric dentists will spend a couple of extra years for special training after dental school. This includes some training on handling those with special needs.

What kind of procedures do special needs dentists perform?

A special needs dentist is no different than a general dentist. They can assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent any dental and oral issues they are focused on. The major difference is that a special needs dentist will be trained for a patient who will need extra care.

They also can be able to plan and accommodate a certain patient’s needs. If they have a patient with sensory overload, an appointment during less busy hours will be best. This can include during the early morning hours (such as 6AM or even 4PM).

Those with sensory overload don’t want to be overstimulated. A special needs dentist will need to be able to make certain arrangements on their end. What will that entail?

A dentist can set up an exam room that can accommodate such patients. This can include setting up specific lighting and lessening distractions as possible. An autistic patient will need to visit a dentist for a pre-examination. This will be able to walk them through the process and show them what tools are being used.

This will help the patient be aware of what is going on so they are more comfortable with the dental visit. Those with special needs may feel a certain fear seeing the dentist. A special needs dentist knows this and they do their best to make it less frightful.

While they perform dentistry, they have a sixth sense. That includes planning ahead and communicating with the staff and patient regarding accommodations for a good visit. The more understanding the dentist is, the better things will be for their visit. 

What kind of accommodations will there be for disabled patients?

Special needs dentists will have equipment that will be different from general dentists. A special needs dentist will use things such as electric toothbrushes. This is so the process is more comfortable while not harming the patient. They can use non-electric devices for those who may suffer from sensory overload.

They will have chairs that will provide extra stability for the head and neck. Specially designed pillows are used to prevent movements that are sudden and uncontrolled. The end goal is making sure they are as comfortable as possible.

There are dental chairs that exist for those with special needs. A special needs dentist will have these all set up for those who need any additional accommodations. This depends on their condition or disability. A special needs dentist will be prepared for any patient no matter the disability.

They will have everything that will make every patient’s visit safe and comfortable. Last but not least, you can also make a call to a dental office and ask if their office is wheelchair accessible.

To make everything easy for the patient, a parent or caretaker will need to make a call ahead of time. This includes specific accommodations. This will save both the patient and the dentistry staff time and less frustration. 

Final Thoughts

Some special needs dentists are specially trained to handle their patients. You will feel at ease knowing that they will do the best job possible while making their patients feel good. While the same procedures are being performed, special needs dentists will go the extra mile.

Don’t think for a moment that dental care is a far reach away because of a disability or condition. Whether they are in town or a couple of hours away, a special needs dentist will be available for their patients.

A special needs dentist must always plan ahead for their patients. If you have a child with special needs or a caretaker, provide the specific information needed in advance. This will allow the dentist and their staff to make note of such accommodations before the appointment.