If you are the parent of a child with autism, weunderstand that there can be stress and challenges in preparing them for adental appointment. Because many children with special needs often have severedental phobia and sensory processing disorder, collaboration between parentsand their dentist can greatly improve their dental experience. Developing acomfortable environment, rapport with the dental team, and consistent oralhygiene routines at home can lead to more positive outcomes when a child receivesthe dental care they need, especially when they are suffering from cavities,gum disease, and even tooth loss. Fortunately, with many dentists offeringspecial needs dentistry, regular dental checkups and cleanings no longer haveto be a traumatic experience. So, how can this be accomplished? Let Dr. Justinand Dr. Sage, our two board-certified pediatric dental specialists, share a fewhelpful tips to ensure your child’s next dental visit is less stressful andmore enjoyable when finding your McKinney pediatric dentist.

The Sprout Team Approach

Dr. Justin, Dr. Sage, and our team at Sprout Dentistry for Kids have advanced training and experience in caring for children with Autism and other special conditions. In 2020, the CDC reported that 1 in 54 children in the United States is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As with most medical conditions, increased awareness and understanding can lead to earlier recognition and early intervention that can have improved lifelong benefits. We encourage and recommend open communication and teamwork with parents to find the best situation for each child that we see. See some of the ways that we tailor our approach to the comfort level specific to each child. Complimentary Meet & Greets: We welcome parents that have apprehensive children to call and schedule a complimentary meet and greet in our office to meet Dr. Justin, Dr. Sage, and our team. This can help parents and children create a stress-free time just for them to see and be introduced to our approach. We can also offer to schedule a teleconference for you if that is an easier way to give you a virtual meet and greet with our office.

• Complimentary Meet & Greets: We welcome parents that have apprehensive children to call and schedule a complimentary meet and greet in our office to meet Dr. Justin, Dr. Sage, and our team. This can help parents and children create a stress-free time just for them to see and be introduced to our approach. We can also offer to schedule a teleconference for you if that is an easier way to give you a virtual meet and greet with our office.

• Collaboration: As the parents and caregivers, you know your children best, and we encourage open communication so that our team can create a comforting environment with minimized stress before your child.
  • Items of Comfort: Tell us what things comfort your child during stressful times. We would love to hear any tips or thoughts you have on what we can do to make your child’s visit a great one. Feel free to bring their favorite toy, weighted blanket, or teach us their favorite songs to make their visit more enjoyable.
  • Triggers: Please share with us in advance if there are any visual, audio, or physical stimuli that increase anxiety or make your child upset. We will do our best to minimize the presence of these triggers in advance of your visit.

• Streamlined visits: Any advance information you give us can make it easier for us to make your child’s visit more comfortable, fun, and efficient. We typically send our office forms electronically in advance of your appointment so that they can be filled out at home. We value your time and understand that more efficient visits are best for the kids, too.

• Sensory Rooms: We understand that some children can be easily overwhelmed at the site of the typical dentist office and exam room. We have rooms specially designed to minimize potential audio, and visual stimuli while creating more of a casual atmosphere for children with high anxiety during doctor’s visits.

• Desensitization visits: We can arrange for additional, short and simple visits focusing on building their confidence, comfort, and rapport with our team. This can go a long way to developing a lifelong dental home where your child feels at ease.

• Full-Service Pediatric Dentistry: We see children of all ages and are willing to move at the pace that you and your child are most comfortable with. We would love to be your child’s lifelong dental home and have options such as radiation-free dental decay detection using fluorescence, digital radiographs, non-surgical treatment options, in-office sedation, general anesthesia, and hospital dentistry options available. We are able to help you determine an approach that you are most comfortable with while protecting your child’s smile.

Inform the Dentist About Your Child’s Needs

Before your child’s first appointment, make sure you informthe dentist and team members that they have autism and don’t be afraid todisclose any challenges or concerns that could occur throughout the visit.Dental offices that offer special needs dentistry have team members who arebetter equipped to handle any potential fears, emotions, or actions the childmight express during the visit.

If there is a particular time of day that typically worksbetter for your child, make sure that is known when scheduling yourappointment. Also, if possible, review the dentist’s website or ask for anyphotos that you can review with your child. This will help them to becomefamiliar with the dentist’s office before their first appointment.

Practice at Home

When scheduling your child’s dental visit, ask aboutrecommended steps you can practice at home. Helping your child becomecomfortable with some of the more basic cues they will need to perform duringtheir appointment will make their visit less stressful. Some of the things youcan practice at home include:

• Lying back in a reclined chair and placing theirhands on their stomach
• Keeping their feet straight in front of them
• Holding their mouth open and making sure theyknow what it means to “open wide”
• How to properly spit into a sink

Let Your Child Become Familiar with Common Dental Tools

A child with autism may want to see, hold, and understandhow certain tools work. Since many of the most basic dental tools can bepurchased at a local drug store, you can offer your child the opportunity tofamiliarize themselves with the same items their pediatric dentist will useduring their appointment. A dental mirror, “tooth pillows” (dental biteblocks), rubber-tipped gum massager, and a small flashlight are just some ofthe instruments you can buy before your child’s appointment and that can beworked into your child’s normal oral hygiene routine at home. Also, it may bepossible for your dentist to provide sample bitewings for your little one tobite down on and ultimately make the X-ray process easier, should your childrequire them.

Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage want to make your child’s visit ascomfortable an environment and experience as possible. By following these tipsand learning how you and your child’s pediatric dentist can work together,everyone can feel more confident and at ease while your child receives the oralcare they need and deserve.

About the Authors
Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo are both fathers and board-certified pediatric dentists. Understanding that the dental office can seem like a scary place for young children, they go the extra mile to make all patients feel at ease. Believing all children should have access to high-quality dental care, they are pleased to provide services to those with mental and physical special needs. Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage combine their knowledge and expertise with the experience and training of their skilled staff to safely and effectively treat a variety of dental issues in a welcoming and relaxed environment. Dr. Justin, Dr. Sage, and the entire team at Sprout Dentistry for Kids embrace all members of our beloved community and are committed to providing compassionate care for all of our patients. If you have a child with special needs, visit our website or call (469) 301-3212.