Dental Care for Special Needs Patients By Stephen Dowell, DDS on December 30, 2020

Not every dental practice is equipped to provide dental care for special needs patients. If you have a loved one with special needs, it is important to choose a dentist who understands how to help make your loved one feel comfortable so that they can receive the care they need. Our practice, serving Minerva, Carrollton, and Dover, OH, invites you to learn more about the characteristics your dental practice should have.

You can rely on the Dowell Dental Group team to treat your loved one with special needs with compassion and patience. We are dedicated to providing a positive experience for all patients, including those with special needs. 

Customized Dental Care

A dentist office that caters to special needs patients will take extra time during an initial appointment to get to know the patient, the caregiver, and special considerations that need to be addressed in planning a clinical visit.

Some of the most common conditions affecting our special needs patients include:

• Autism
• Down syndrome
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Physical disabilities 

Our team has direct experience treating patients with cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities. We also have the expertise and gentle approach required to earn the trust of special needs patients and their caregivers.

Comfortable, Efficient, and Effective Appointments

Visiting the dentist can be stressful for special needs patients because a clinical atmosphere can seem new, foreign, and potentially harmful. A sterile, overly bright operatory can be overwhelming, so we have designed our office to feel more home-like and comfortable. 

To make sure our special needs patients have a positive experience at our office, Dowell Dental Group provides:

• Extra time during appointments
• Caring and gentle service
• Modified treatment options
• Sedation
• Blankets, pillows, and sunglasses
• Aromatherapy  
• A comfortable, spa-like atmosphere
• Massaging dental chairs
• Evaluation of and advice for oral home care

At our office, you’ll find an enthusiastic, experienced, and compassionate team of dental professionals. Our team is made up of truly caring people who love to connect with patients.

Technology and Treatments

Over the years, dentistry has massively improved, and progress never stops. We keep up to date with new technologies that improve patient care, comfort, and clinical outcomes. 

The cone beam CT scan is one example of our dedication to using advanced technology that improves care. Currently, we are the only office in the area with this 3-D imaging capability. A cone beam image significantly helps dentists diagnose dental health issues and plan accurate treatment. If your special needs patient needs dental implants or orthodontic treatment, for example, we may use the cone beam to capture highly detailed 3-D images of the teeth roots and jaw structure. 

Oral sedation is another option that may greatly improve a special needs patient’s experience in the dentist’s office. When a person takes a sedative, it can alleviate stress, anxiety, and fear of the dentist so that treatment can be administered comfortably.

The Dentist for Special Needs Patients

If you have any questions or concerns about special needs dentistry, the Dowell Dental Group team is always happy to answer them. You can call us at (330) 868-5001 or contact us online.