Children with special healthcare needs are no different from anyone else when it comes to needing dental care like routine exams, cleanings, and even the occasional filling, crown, or extraction. At Teeth R Us Children’s Dentistry & Tongue Tie Center, we specialize in providing dental care for children who have special healthcare needs, whether caused by an injury, illness, or disability that makes it hard for your child to sit still, open their mouths, and get through an appointment. We offer gentle sedation options, extra-long appointment time slots, and initial consultations to determine which accommodations would best suit your child.
Dr. Nathifa Smith has worked with special needs children for years. She obtained her degree in Pediatric Dentistry from Howard University in Washington D.C, where she received exceptional training in dentistry for children with special needs through a special program at a Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.
Whether your child is sensitive to new environments, loud noises, or new people, Dr. Smith and the team at Teeth R Us provide a calm, gentle dental experience for kids with a wide range of special needs and disabilities.
Learn more about our special needs dentistry and how we—as your top pediatric dentist in Plano—have you and your children covered!
Special needs dentistry is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on providing dental care to patients with special needs or disabilities. We understand that special needs is a very broad term and that every child is unique. For patients who require additional consideration and accommodations when visiting a dental appointment, special needs dentistry meets each individual where they are. Often a game changer when it comes to oral care, special needs dentistry drastically improves the overall dental experience by reducing anxiety through a calming atmosphere.
Sometimes! Each child is unique, and we get to know each of our patients to understand what their dental needs are and how we can help. It is not uncommon for special needs children to struggle with properly brushing their teeth or suffer from an oral trauma, and these difficulties can contribute to tooth decay. We recommend regular cleanings and checkups to keep on top of any issues.
Regular brushing and flossing and healthy eating are key in preventing dental problems. Bringing your child in for professional teeth cleanings is an excellent form of preventative care. During these appointments, we look for plaque buildup that can cause gingivitis and other complications with gum tissue. We also use dental sealants to help protect the enamel from tooth decay.
Yes, we are. Our team is not only well trained in special needs dentistry services, but we are prepared to work with your child’s unique situation and make sure they feel safe and comfortable. Our expertise includes creating the most relaxing and calm atmosphere possible. We want your child to love visiting our dental office.
Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for children that have a difficult time relaxing and need extra help in receiving treatments. Your child’s safety is our top concern, so we do full evaluations and consider every aspect of behavior and special needs before administering any calming medication.Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for children that have a difficult time relaxing and need extra help in receiving treatments. Your child’s safety is our top concern, so we do full evaluations and consider every aspect of behavior and special needs before administering any calming medication.
We encourage parents to speak with their children before bringing them into our office. Ease their worries and reassure them that we have their best interest in mind. Remind them how important it is to care for our bodies and teeth by going to the dentist regularly. Prepare them by letting them know what an honor and privilege it is to get to go to the dentist, and we will do our best to make sure their experience lives up to their expectations. If you need further guidance in helping your children prepare for a visit to the dentist, do not hesitate to call us.
