Special Needs Dentistry – Duncanville, TX
Every Child Has a Home Here
At Barefield Pediatric Dentistry, we pride ourselves on being able to help absolutely every child in Duncanville, including those with mental, physical, and sensory special needs. If you have a special child at home, know that they are always welcome here, and we’ll be happy to make any accommodations necessary to ensure a relaxed visit for both you and your little one. Our team has decades of experience working with special children, and we can’t wait to welcome your family into our dental office for special needs dentistry in Duncanville, TX!
Why Choose Barefield Pediatric Dentistry for Special Needs Dentistry?
- Experienced team led by multiple certified pediatric dentists
- Kid-friendly, state-of-the-art dental office
- Happy to treat children of all ages
The Importance of Dental Care for Special Needs Children
Dental care is essential for any child, but this is particularly true for special needs children, as they often have difficulties performing routine oral hygiene. This can result in a higher occurrence of cavities and gum disease, which can quickly lead to tooth loss and all of its associated problems. Persistent dental issues can also affect a child’s confidence, adding another challenge that could easily be avoided. Thankfully, our team has the ability to give every child a beautiful, healthy smile so they can feel comfortable showing off their teeth no matter where they are.
How Can You Help My Special Needs Child Smile Brighter?
Our team can provide your child with regular checkups, cleanings, and restorative services to quickly fix any problems that pop up along the way. We’ll also bend over backwards to make sure your child is completely comfortable at every visit. Many children have some degree of dental phobia, but our friendly team will quickly make this a thing of the past! And, in addition to providing a wide variety of in-office services, we can also work with you and your child to help them put together an oral healthcare routine at home, making it easier for them to stay healthy between appointments.
We’re Happy to Treat Children with Any Special Need
Our dental office is happy to help children with the following special needs (to name a few):
- Down Syndrome
- Autism
- Blind/visually impaired
- Deaf/hearing impaired
- Wheelchair bound
How Sedation Dentistry Can Help
Sedation dentistry is a collection of techniques we can use to calm a nervous child’s mind as well as prevent them from feeling any physical discomfort while in the chair. It can help even the most frightened child become relaxed while enabling our team to perform any necessary procedures more easily. We can offer different degrees of sedation based on how a child feels about going to the dentist, and we will work closely with parents to figure out which one would be best for your son or daughter. That way, they can have a fantastic first visit with us which will surely make subsequent appointments much smoother.
Special Needs Dentistry FAQs
Are pediatric dentists trained to provide special needs dentistry?
Yes, in most cases, pediatric dentists are trained to provide special needs dentistry to children with intellectual and physical disabilities. At Barefield Pediatric Dentistry, our dentists have decades of experience working with these children and are equipped with the knowledge and hands-on skills to not only understand the challenges they face and the unique needs they require but also create a calming and appropriate environment.
Which preventive solutions are most effective for children with special needs?
All children deserve access to preventive care. No matter the challenges their smile might face, regular dental checkups and cleanings are some of the most effective ways to mitigate cavities, gum disease, and other similar dental issues. Children with intellectual and physical disabilities should also receive regular fluoride treatment and dental sealants to protect against tooth decay. These solutions not only combat potential cavities but also help strengthen enamel and keep smiles healthier between appointments.
Can sedation dentistry be used to calm a patient?
Yes, Dr. Barefield and our team can use sedation dentistry to minimize your child’s nerves and create a more comfortable experience while they are in the treatment chair. Depending on the type of care your child will need and their level of anxiety or unique needs, we will recommend nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or general anesthesia/hospital-based sedation. We will make sure to discuss all these options as well as the potential effects they might have on your child and their experience in our office.
Is there anything I can do beforehand to ensure my child’s visit is successful?
Yes! When calling to schedule your child’s appointment, you can alert our team to their unique needs. We will work to provide the accommodations required to create a positive, enjoyable, and successful visit. You should also be sure that you speak about the dentist’s office using encouraging words as well as show them pictures of what our dental practice looks like using our Tour Our Office section of our website. This can help ease any concerns and uncertainties they might have about visiting us.