Special needs dentistry involves treating the dental needs of anyone that is affected by medical, physical, psychological, developmental, or emotional issues.
Having special needs doesn’t mean that you or your loved one can’t or shouldn’t visit the dentist frequently. At Sachem Dental Group we want to provide the best possible care for everyone. One way we do that is to be attentive to the unique needs of everyone and be accommodating to each one of our patients.
Care for Everyone and Every Need
Whether your special need is the fact that you get claustrophobic, have trouble lying still for long periods of time, or if you’re anxious about dental work to the point it gives you a panic attack, we can help.
We can also accommodate patients who have more common special needs, such as ADHD, Tourette’s, Restless Leg Syndrome, Autism, Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome, or physical restrictions that require the use a wheelchair, just to name a few.
Preventing Big Challenges In Patients With Special Needs
When it comes to patients with special needs, it’s best to take a preventive approach to dental care. Ideally we want to be more proactive rather than reactive, meaning, instead of waiting for a dental issue to occur before visiting the dentist, it’s best to come by regularly for cleanings and checkups.
Prevention-based care will reduce the chances of needing extensive treatment that can be more difficult to complete for someone with special needs. Getting to know our team when you don’t have a toothache is a great way to build a strong, positive relationship that can makes visits at the dental office less intimidating. Regular preventative care will help keep treatment minimally invasive, quick, and easy when issues do arise.
At-Home Dental Treatment For Patients With Special Needs
Dental patients with special needs often have higher rates of gum diseases and cavities than people in the general population. Usually because of oral hygiene challenges or lack of access to care. In addition to routine dental cleaning and check-ups, there’s a lot that caregivers can do at home to help ensure that their loved one with special needs enjoys everything a healthy smile has to offer.
Encourage regularly brushing, and if you have to, supervise or even brush their teeth for them. Modified brushing techniques are completely fine (our hygienists will help you find what works.) Flossing is equally important. To make these tasks easier, you may want to consider purchasing an electric toothbrush , disposable floss picks, or a water flosser.
Electric toothbrushes have timers that ensure you’re brushing long enough. And the vibration that they provide tends to do a better job at removing plaque than a manual toothbrush for patients who can tolerate them.
Flossing can be difficult if you don’t have the manual dexterity required. A water flosser has a nozzle that shoots out a stream of highly pressurized water to quickly and easily flush away food debris stuck between your teeth. Or if that’s a little too messy, a disposable floss pick is better than nothing!
Our dentist and hygienists will provide pointers and modified techniques to use at home if there are special needs or other physical challenges to consider.
Dental Sedation for Special Needs
Sedation dentistry makes oral care more accessible, regardless of a person’s health status. The types of sedation that are usually offered in dentistry include:
Nitrous Oxide:
- Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is administered through a mask that fits over your nose. After inhaling this gas for just a few minutes you’ll begin to feel relaxed and your nerves will calm down. Nitrous oxide sedation leaves you completely conscious at all times but you’ll be so relaxed that you’ll tolerate the procedure well. When using laughing gas, a local anesthetic is still administered to numb the area being worked on so that you don’t experience discomfort. Once the procedure is complete, we’ll flush the nitrous gas out of your system by allowing you to breathe pure oxygen for several minutes. Nitrous oxide has no lingering effects on the body and after your procedure, you’ll feel like yourself and can even drive home. It’s a perfect add-on for special needs dentistry appointments.
Oral Sedation:
- Oral conscious sedation is given orally about an hour before your scheduled treatment. During a dental procedure using oral sedation, you’ll be semi-conscious. Some patients end up napping during their treatment which is totally fine. Oral sedation actually has an amnesiac effect, meaning that you may not remember much (if anything) about your appointment. When receiving oral sedation, patients will always need to bring an escort with them to drive you to and from the office. The effects of the medication can take a few hours to completely wear off.
IV Sedation:
- IV sedation is a deeper form of sedation that is delivered by an intravenous line into your arm. The onset of the effects is much faster than with any other sedative. You will sleep comfortably during the procedure and have no recollection of what took place. This service is typical of oral surgeries, such as wisdom tooth removal.
Treating Patients That Are Wheelchair Bound
If you or your loved one use a wheelchair, that’s typically not a problem. In many situations, we can work on your teeth while you remain in your wheelchair. If not, we can carefully help transfer you to the dental chair and ensure that you are comfortable during the procedure. If your wheelchair has a tilt, that would be extremely valuable and make things more comfortable for you and our dental providers.
Seeing Special Needs Patients in Dentistry
If you or a loved one have special needs, please speak with our Long Island dentist to see how we can work together to ensure that they receive the level of care they deserve.
Sachem Dental Group is a skilled team of general dentists who provide a variety of specialized services suitable for unique needs. Our practice has been serving the Suffolk County area for over 35 years. If you’re looking for a special needs dental team in Long Island, we encourage you to call.