You know it’s necessary, but you worry how it’s going to go. Your autistic child’s dental appointment is coming up, and you can’t help but feel a little anxious. Although pediatric dentists usually receive more training than general dentists for serving those with special needs, you have found one who is an expert and has years of training and experience! While special needs dentistry can make the appointment as pleasant as possible, what can you do to prepare your child and help them feel comfortable? Here are 5 tips you can do prior to this visit!
Talk to Your Pediatric Dentist
Your first move should be to talk to the pediatric dentist and their team about your child’s needs. Tell them about your child’s triggers, what they like and dislike, how they react when upset or scared, and any other information that may be useful for the visit. Then, ask if the staff members have any advice for you to get them ready for the appointment. They may offer to provide guidance as well as other useful resources for a smoother experience for everyone.
Show Your Child the Practice
If possible, go to the practice before the visit and take pictures, or ask the dentist for pictures, and show them to your autistic child. You may even want to compile the photos into a little book that you “read” to them repeatedly before the visit. Sharing this information through visual aids and explaining what will happen can make the environment seem more familiar and less intimidating.
Experience Beforehand
If you really want to give your autistic child an idea of what the instruments will feel like before going in for the appointment, you could purchase a set of dental tools. Allowing your child to handle and manipulate these instruments can help those who face sensory issues and lower their anxiety during the visit.
Come Prepared
If your child struggles with being overstimulated by sound, you are certainly welcome to bring headphones for them. In fact, they can watch their favorite show during the appointment to lower their stress and distract them from what’s happening. To minimize the impact the light has on them, you should also consider bringing sunglasses, if your pediatric dentist doesn’t provide them.
Bring Comforts of Home
Any child, with or without special needs, can feel comforted when they snuggle with a certain blanket or stuffed animal. It’s soft and smells like home, helping them relax in the office environment. Bringing a soft item for them to hold and squeeze can soothe your autistic child and provide reassurance they need to get through the appointment.
About the Author
After graduating from the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry, Dr. Roxanne Clarke completed a fellowship program in dentistry for the developmentally disabled at Stony Brook University in New York before returning to the University of Maryland for her pediatric specialty training. In addition to sedative-free techniques, she offers nitrous oxide and general anesthesia for those who struggle with dental anxiety or staying still for appointments. If you would like to work with Dr. Clarke at Kids Dental Space, you can contact the office at 443-241-7575 or visit our Contact Us page here.