Statistics Canada says that more than 155,000 children in Canada are living with disabilities. Parents of children with special needs often have concerns and questions about dental care for their children.
Their concerns often include finding the right dentist for their children, how behaviour will be controlled, and how the dentist will react to their children’s behaviour if there is a problem during treatment.
Dental health care may be low on the list of priorities when you’re caring for a child with unique, complex needs. However, there are many behavioural, health, and social issues that can be compounded by dental discomfort. Altogether, this can make managing your child’s needs more difficult than necessary.
We want parents of children who have special needs to breathe easy. We’re here to help!
Pediatric dentists are trained in effective communication with kids across a wide spectrum of needs. Just because special needs are part of the equation, doesn't mean that introducing consistent oral care into your child's life must be stressful!
How Does Smile Town Dentistry Serve Kids with Special Needs?
Our North Delta children's dentists approach all the children who enter our practice as individuals, and with patience and kindness. We always provide the best, most appropriate care available to suit their needs.
We’ll begin by meeting with you and your child, in order to get to know you both and to discuss your questions and concerns.
Based on the nature of your child’s needs, we'll use a combination of engaging games, quiet persuasion, and calming techniques to keep him or her happy and relaxed during treatment.
Sedation Options
Some kids have emotional or physical barriers to sustained oral health care that cannot be overcome using the above approaches. Fortunately, there are many safe anesthesia and sedation options that can be used.
Pediatric dentists receive comprehensive, exhaustive training in the proper use of nitrous oxide, general anesthesia, and oral conscious sedation medications in treating children.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide (or 'laughing gas') is a combination of nitrous oxide oxygen. It helps to calm patients who feel anxious about their treatment, but does not impair natural reflexes or render them unconscious.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral Conscious Sedation can be achieved using a variety medications. We’ll discuss the type of medication or combination of medications with you that will best help your child safely undergo dental treatment.
General Anesthesia
General Anesthesia is recommended for children with limited comprehension, extreme behaviour challenges, physical handicaps or who are highly sensitivity to pain.
Whatever the needs of your children, our team find the best, most effective way to prevent or manage their challenges during treatment.