The Dreaded Dentist Visit

If you are like me, you dread your kid's dentist visit. In fact, I have dreaded it so much that we still haven't been, even though he is now three years and 8 months old. So I am preparing to go for it soon, and figured the best way to go about preparing is (a) to find the right pediatric dentist, and (b) to get him ready with books and videos about going to the dentist. Here is some helpful information for those who are also dreading the dentist visit.

Finding a Dentist

A pediatric dentist's office will provide a better experience for a child on the spectrum than a general practice dentist's office because of the "fun" kids stuff (watching dvd's, toys in the waiting room, kid-loving staff, kid-friendly techniques, etc). Fortunately, there are lots of pediatric dentists' offices in the DFW area, so it is just a matter of finding the one that is best for your child.

The Ford Clinic in Fort Worth, specializes in treating special needs children but only accept patients age 12 and up.

Also, the ARC of Dallas offers a list of dentists treating special needs patients. The dentists' names were provided to ARC by either local families or the dentists themselves.(Specifically, the dentists treat patients with mental retardation, but MR patients likely require the same sensitivity, patience, and accommodation that children with developmental disorders would require).

Some of you may be aware that the Child Study Center of Fort Worth used to have a dentist clinic for children with developmental disabilities, but it is currently inactive.

Getting Your Child Ready

There are lots of children's books about going to the dentist, available on amazon.com or any bookstore.

There are also dvd's created to help kids get ready for the dentist:

• "A Trip to the Dentist through Pinatta's View," an award-winning video featuring puppets, music, and a child's perspective
  
• "My First Trip to the Dentist," an educational video created by a dental hygenist and mother of two
• "The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist," the beloved animated bears visit the dentist

If your child enjoys role play, you could also "play dentist": have your child practice opening wide while you "examine" his teeth and let him examine yours.

The Day of the Visit

Here are some useful tips from the Autism Society of America:

• A pediatric dentist usually has the most experience with children with developmental delays.
• Bring your child’s favorite DVD to his dental visit.
• Bring some of your child’s favorite toys to medical and dental exams.
• Have your child help the dentist count his teeth.
• The first time your child has a dental cleaning, ask your dentist about giving him a mild sedative until he gets used to the routine.
• Stay in the treatment room to help the dentist by keeping your child’s hands away from the dentist and the instruments in your child’s mouth.
• Give the dentist an opportunity to talk to your child; she may be more cooperative with a friendly dentist.
• Check if insurance will cover your child’s dental surgery in the hospital under general anesthesia; insurance will usually pay if the dentist submits a letter of medical necessity.

The Autism Research Institute has an informative article on dental anesthesia for the autistic child written by a member of the anesthesiology faculty at Stanford University Hospital.