Special Needs Dentistry

Leading Special Needs Dentist in Flanders, NJ

Flanders Pediatric Dentistry is devoted to making every child comfortable at the dentist so we can provide outstanding dental health. Children with special needs are no exception. We strive to make sure all our patients, including children with intellectual or physical disabilities, feel safe and welcome. Our goal is for every special needs patient to leave our office happy, confident, and feeling like they are a part of successfully caring for their own dental health.

What is Special Needs Dentistry?

Often called special care dentistry, special needs dental care provides gentle, compassionate dental care to children with disabilities or special needs. Regardless of the level of disability, Flanders Pediatric meets and recognizes each child as an individual with a unique personality. We offer a safe haven for these children’s dental care focused on eliminating the fear and encouraging a healthy relationship with our office so that proper dental care is not traumatic. Every member of our staff is trained in working with special needs patients in a pediatric setting.

Pediatric Sedation Dentistry

There are a variety of options for pain relief and anesthesia available for children with special needs. For routine cleanings, sealants, and care that does not require sedation, we offer professional care in rooms thoughtfully designed and decorated to engage children and create an inviting atmosphere where they will feel comfortable.

If your child needs sedation for any procedure, we do so in a hospital setting. This gives us greater access to emergency care and various options that are not feasible in an office setting. We always provide whatever level of anesthesia is safest and most effective while alleviating the anxiety and stress of our special needs dental patients.

We Provide Special Needs Dental Care for All Children, Including Those With:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Angelman Syndrome
  • Down Syndrome
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • ADHD and ADD
  • Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
  • Mental Limitations
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Physical Limitations
  • Other Pediatric Developmental Disorders

We look forward to meeting you and your child to provide your entire family with proper dental care. Please call our office at Flanders Phone Number (973) 927-2260 for an appointment. Please mention that your child has special needs and the form of those needs to ensure enough time is provided to put your child at ease and make the visit a successful one.

Why is a Pediatric Dentist with Special Needs Experience Important?

Flanders Pediatric treats every child with dignity, respect, and compassion. However, children with special needs often struggle in unfamiliar surroundings and may experience excessive anxiety. We work closely with these children and their parents to provide our finest in-office care and educate special needs patients on practicing proper oral hygiene. We carefully monitor their progress to ensure any dental health concerns are spotted and addressed early.

Preventive Dental Care

Because many children with special needs or physical limitations have trouble brushing and flossing correctly. We may recommend more frequent professional teeth cleaning to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Dental sealants can help protect tooth enamel between checkups and minimize the need for extensive in-office cleaning.

What Kind of Training Do You Have?

After completing dental school, every dentist at Flanders Pediatric has completed years of additional training in pediatric dentistry. They have also received additional training in working with special needs patients, including those with intellectual and physical disabilities.

But we believe our greatest advantage is our love of children and devotion to their safety and wellbeing. The children we treat often look forward to visiting us, where they can meet doctors who become their friends and relax in a child-centric office that’s always fun and never scary.

Will you sedate my child for dental treatments?

When appropriate and only with your permission. Sedation dentistry is often the best choice for children who cannot relax or suffer from excessive fear about dental procedures. Because many special needs patients have other physical and mental limitations that impact anesthesia use and recovery, we perform all sedation procedures in a hospital setting.

What Should I Do to Prepare My Special Needs Child for a Dentist’s Visit?

It is best not to surprise your child with a trip to the dentist. Explain to them what will happen and that the dentists and staff are there to help them. Answer questions in an honest but non-threatening manner. Many excellent children’s books talk about a trip to the dentist reassuringly. If your child has questions you can’t answer, please feel free to call us, and we will be happy to provide additional information.

Flanders Pediatric Dentistry is the answer if your special needs child is apprehensive about going to the dentist. Call us at Flanders Phone Number (973) 927-2260 to schedule an appointment. You and your child will discover a new, more comfortable way to care for your child’s oral health without drama.