PEDIATRIC SPECIAL NEEDS DENTIST SATELLITE BEACH
Our Porpoise is to Make Every Child Feel Comfortable
At Beachside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we offer compassionate and comfortable care for children with physical and developmental disabilities that may make visiting the dentist uncomfortable, overwhelming, or scary. Our Satellite Beach pediatric special needs dentists and team are happy to accommodate children in whatever ways possible to make sure that their experience feels like a fun day at the beach! We ask parents to please let us know what we can do to help before their appointment to make it an overall positive visit.
Why Choose Beachside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for Special Needs Dentistry?
- Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Decades of Experience Serving Patients with Special Needs
- We Accept & Maximize Dental Insurance
Special Needs Present Unique Oral Challenges
Children with certain developmental, behavioral, and physical conditions are often at a higher risk of common dental problems. Our goal as their pediatric dentist in Satellite Beach is to provide them with the care and tools to keep their precious smiles healthy. Whether it’s due to medication they take or the inaccessibility of dental hygiene, children with special needs may be at a higher risk of bruxism (teeth grinding) as well as cavities and decay. We aim to keep these issues at bay with thorough, routine, and comfortable pediatric dental care.
How Do We Help Our Patients with Special Needs Feel Comfortable?
We work closely with parents to do what we can to ensure their child’s comfort throughout their entire visit, whether they’re here for a cleaning or other treatment. We strive to also build trusting and long-lasting relationships so that with time, their anxieties and fears may ease away (sedation can help), and we establish a routine with them.
Dental Tips for Children with Special Needs
Below, we’ve included some helpful tips for parents to help keep their favorite smile cavity-free:
- Help your child brush and floss their teeth daily. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush twice a day and an ADA-approved toothpaste.
- Start bringing them to their pediatric dentist early on. For many children, these early dental visits will help incorporate their bi-annual checkups and cleanings into their routine and build a trusting relationship with our team.
- Use enamel-strengthening toothpaste. Our office uses MI Paste and MI Paste Plus, which offer a fluoride and a fluoride-free option for cleaning and strengthening teeth. Plus, it comes in fun flavors like strawberry and tutti-frutti!
Pediatric Special Needs Dentistry FAQs
What should I do to help my child prepare for their appointment?
It can be helpful to walk your child through what will happen at their appointment, and to explain why it’s important to visit the dentist. Children with special needs often feel more at ease when they know what to expect and why they’re visiting a dentist’s office. Depending on your child’s age, a book about a dental appointment can help you explain things in an engaging and interesting way.
Remember to use positive language when talking to your child about their upcoming visit, and reassure them that this is a beneficial routine!
What if my child is nervous or has anxiety?
It’s not uncommon for children with special needs to find a dental office overwhelming or scary. Rest assured, Dr. Robison and Dr. Millard are experienced with helping children feel comfortable and safe during their visits. If necessary, our team can also administer dental sedation, which will make bright lights, loud sounds, and other sensory information seem muted, as well as produce a calming effect.
Please don’t hesitate to talk with our team about your child’s unique needs. We’re always happy to accommodate our young patients!
Are pediatric dentists trained in special needs dentistry?
Yes, pediatric dentists receive advanced training in providing special needs dentistry helping children with a variety of special needs as part of their education. Our board-certified pediatric dentists have hands-on experience providing accommodations, maintaining a comforting office atmosphere, and addressing unique dental challenges. Dr. Robison is even a key opinion leader with Edge Elevation Group – basically, she’s actively involved in helping dentists provide better quality care for patients with special needs.
Rest assured, our team understands that your child might need extra reassurance and guidance, and we’re well-qualified to help them care for their smile in a way that will be positive and reassuring.
What preventive treatments can help special needs children?
Many of the preventive treatments that we offer as part of a routine checkup and cleaning can benefit children with special needs. Fluoride applications can fortify their teeth and help prevent cavities, for example, and nightguards can protect their pearly whites from habitual grinding and clenching.
What’s truly valuable about special needs dentistry is that we can help your child address the unique challenges they might be experiencing with at-home dental care. Water flossers, unflavored toothpaste, and other alternatives to traditional oral hygiene tools can make a big difference!