Kidz Connextion exists to provide children with comfortable dental care, and that’s especially important for children with autism spectrum disorders. Though every child has unique needs, there are some steps we commonly take in hopes of making their exams more pleasant and productive.
As a clinic, the dental office is brightly lit and full of smells most children aren’t used to. It is helpful for the child to take a tour of the office first and have the examination on a different day. This will give them a chance to become familiar with new sensory input as well as dental vocabulary and our staff.
It is often the case during the exam that children benefit from seeing an older sibling or friend go first, and autistic children are no different. But they may be more curious or anxious about the instruments and benefit from detailed verbal descriptions of what is about to happen and how long it will take.
We maintain evening hours to provide as much flexibility as possible for all our patients, and this is especially helpful for arranging the tours and doing the exam when there won’t be a lot of other people around. When necessary for the child’s safety and with permission from the parents, we can use nitrous oxide sedation. Autistic children are at risk for developing habits such as tooth grinding and tongue thrusting, so it is important that they visit a dental office that anticipates how to get them to respond positively.
Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.
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