Hey! I'm Frankie, and welcome to my dental advice blog. I'm a foodie and I love sweet treats, but I also love my teeth! It can be hard to keep your dental health in top condition when you've got a sweet tooth, but it's not impossible. Over the years, I've learned tons of great advice from friends, family members and dentists, and I'd love to share it with you. My blog is here to give you all the tips and tricks you need to stay free of decay and other tooth problems without giving up all your favourite foods and snacks.
SPD, also known as Sensory Processing Disorder, can be very challenging for children as well as parents. This disorder means that a child may be sensitive to textures, sounds, colours and lighting. This makes a routine visit to a family dentist in your area nearly impossible unless you find a dentist that has experience and an environment suitable for your child's needs. Here are some things to look for if you are experiencing this issue and need to find a dentist.
Special Needs Notification
One of the easiest things to look for when you are trying to find a family dentist for your SPD child is a notification of special needs. Some dentists will advertise that they do offer services specifically for special needs children and adults. They may also list the types of services they offer. This list is what you need to pay special attention to as it will show you if SPD or sensory services are offered. If they are not, or a special needs notification is not available, you may want to look for another option.
Sensory Rooms
If a family dentist advertises having a sensory room, then they likely will offer services for SPD. Sensory rooms generally allow the child to have ear protection to block out sounds that may trigger their disorder. They may also offer light dimming, light therapy or other forms of relaxation to help your child through the appointment. If a sensory room is offered, you may want to call and ask if the sensory issues your child has are covered within the room if they are not listed.
Personalized Visits
A personalized visit is vital to children with SPD, since not every sensory disorder is the same. Also, the reaction to the sensory issues is also not the same. For example, some SPD children are calmed by the use of a weighted blanket. This type of blanket is usually made of fleece and weighted to fit the child's needs. The blanket is placed over them during procedures such as teeth cleansing, hair cuts, and other sensory triggering events.
A family dentist in your area that caters to personalized visits will allow these items, and others, as long as it does not interfere with the procedure. Traditional family dentists may restrict these items, which is why finding a dentist with personalization options for special needs is important.
By keeping these points in mind, you can narrow down your search for the right family dentist in your area. Remember, a consultation will help to prepare for the first visit and let your dentist know exactly what your child's issues with SPD are.
Share13 November 2017
