Special Needs Care in Frisco

It takes special skill and dedication to learn how to calm people who experience dental phobia. The team of Frisco dentists at Parklane Family Dentistry have what it takes to accomplish this feat. Our expertise working with special needs patients makes us uniquely qualified to provide compassionate patient-centered care to those who otherwise may neglect their oral health.

There are many reasons why a person may develop unusually strong feelings of anxiety when it comes to dental care services. Previous trauma, a bad childhood experience, cognitive challenges or other causes may have an impact on how a person reacts to a dentist or dental office.

We take all these things into consideration. We work with our more excitable patients with gentle care and great patience. Sedation is also made available to help the overly anxious person relax. Talking out fears about the dentist and helping the patient calm their fears are also part of the process.

Patients with Disabilities

Working with patients with disabilities also takes special care and compassion. Such patients may not always be able to voice their concerns. We use all our resources to provide our special needs patients with the care and understanding required to ensure they have a positive dental experience.

Parklane Family Dentistry is a place that is committed to serving patients from all walks of life and all levels of ability. We are dedicated to helping people acquire and maintain a high standard of oral health. Fear or ability should never be an obstacle to obtaining the oral health care required to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

What to Expect At Your Child’s Exam

During your child’s dental exam, Dr. Vashisht will look at their oral tissues, including their gums, teeth, cheeks, and tongue, to look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and abnormal lesions that could indicate oral cancer. 

At the start of your child’s exam, we are happy to make any accommodations necessary to make them feel as comfortable as possible. This can include dimming the lights, eliminating noise disturbances, allowing time for a longer, slow-paced appointment, and administering dental sedation. 

Sedation will make patients with severe dental anxiety and special needs feel much more relaxed and comfortable. This reduces sensitive gag reflexes, tooth sensitivity, and pain. After their exam, we may take digital x-rays to look closer at their oral tissues that can’t be seen with the naked eye. 

Your child’s teeth are then scaled and polished to keep them fresh, clean, and healthy. Finally, we will apply a fluoride varnish to their teeth to remineralize and strengthen them.

What Are the Benefits of Seeing a Special Needs Dentist?

We will discuss your child’s medical history and special needs upfront so we can prepare to accommodate them for future appointments. Whether your child needs a longer appointment, alterations to the environment due to a sensory disorder, or would like to receive careful and compassionate communication throughout their appointment, all of this will be taken care of.

A pediatric dentist goes through an additional 2 to 3 years of dental school to earn their specialization. During these additional years of schooling and training, we learn how to treat patients with special needs. 

This may mean taking into account the medications that a patient already takes, which could interact with the medications we use in the dental field. Your child may need improved physical accessibility because they can’t walk or have limited physical movement. 

Some patients have medical conditions that increase their risk of cavities because it dries out their mouth or causes an increase of bacteria, while others increase their risk for teeth grinding and TMJ/TMD. Being made aware of these conditions helps us be on alert for potential complications and risk factors.

Common Conditions That May Need Special Needs Care

A special needs dentist has the credentials, education, and experience to properly accommodate patients with special needs. This includes patients with mental, physical, and cognitive disabilities. This can include patients with dental anxiety, autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or medical conditions like diabetes, malocclusions, cleft lip or palate, and epilepsy. 

Patients with special needs often have special oral health care needs because they have a higher risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. We may take extra care to monitor their teeth, have them come in for more frequent checkups and cleanings, and apply routine fluoride treatments to aid in their prevention of cavities. 

We are happy to provide education and nutrition advice and teach your child how to properly practice good oral hygiene to keep their health and gums in great condition. Our dental team is also specially trained in child psychology, development, and communication. We know how to use special communication techniques to explain things to them in a way that is easy to understand and reduces fear.