We are happy to see patients of varying abilities, including those with special needs. Patients with special needs are those who due to physical, medical, developmental, or cognitive conditions require special consideration when receiving dental treatment. This can include people with autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, spinal cord injuries and countless other conditions or injuries that can make standard dental procedures more difficult.
People with special needs often have special dental needs as well. Some are very susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease or oral trauma. Others require medication or a diet detrimental to dental health. Still others have physical difficulty with effective dental habits at home. The good news is, dental disease is preventable. If dental care is started early and followed conscientiously, everyone can enjoy a healthy smile.
Caring for a special needs patient takes compassion and understanding. Our office does not use restraints or pills for sedation, rather, we take a slow, personalized approach. We are happy to take our time with your special patient, but not every patient with special needs can be treated at our office. We do need patients to be able to sit in a chair, to able able to open their mouths when asked, and to be able to follow simple commands. Please alert our staff when scheduling an appointment for a patient who has special needs, so that we may best accommodate them!