Are you looking for a good dentist for children with autism in Rockville? Whether it’s the first time or not, a trip to the dentist often includes lots of new sounds, smells, and sensations. For children with autism, anxiety, or sensory issues, it can be overwhelming. Regular dental care is essential to good oral health, so we have compiled a list of tips to help make your trip to the dentist as smooth as possible.
Preparing for a Visit with a Dentist for Children with Autism in Rockville
Preparation is key. Preparing a child with autism well in advance can be helpful in easing anxiety and promoting a calm and successful visit. Some offices will allow you to schedule a tour prior to your appointment to help your child feel comfortable.
It’s important to discuss your child’s individual needs, concerns, or challenges with your dentist. Every child deserves to get the oral care they need, so we work extra hard to make the experience a pleasant one for all our patients.
Creating a Visual Story
A top dentist for children with autism understands that they need special attention and consideration. One of the most recommended tools is a visual schedule or visual story. A visual story may be helpful in preparing your child as well. Going over each step helps your child practice and understand each step of the process. Your visual story might include things like:
- We will visit the dentist today to make sure my teeth are clean and healthy.
- We will walk into the office and tell the people at the front desk our name.
- While we wait, I can watch tv, color, or play games.
- When the hygienist calls my name, we will walk to a room with special chairs.
- The special chair will move up and down so the dentist can look in my mouth.
- When I sit in the chair, I will keep my hands on my belly and my legs straight out in front of me.
- The dentist will use a bright light to look in my mouth but I can ask for special sunglasses if its too bright.
- The dentist will use a tiny mirror to count my teeth.
- The dentist may take special pictures of my teeth. I have to sit still and wear a heavy apron for this.
- The dentist will clean my teeth with special tools. The dentist will show me these tools and tell me what each one does before using them.
- When I am done, the dentist will give me a special bag with a new toothbrush.
Top Dentist for Children with Autism in Rockville
We aim to make every patient’s experience a good one. We understand that for some children, this requires special considerations. If your child struggles with loud or unexpected noises, you may want to consider noise cancelling headphones for the visit. Your child can also bring an emotional support plushie to make him/her feel more comfortable.
With proper practice and preparation, dental visits for children with autism, sensory issues, or general anxiety can be less stressful. Our pediatric dentist and staff strive to make your child’s visit fun and enjoyable.
Our innovative practice integrates general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, spa services, and body contouring. Our dedicated, compassionate team specializes in state-of-the-art dental care that includes conscious sedation dentistry, dental implants, Invisalign ®, and sleep apnea appliances. Contact Hackley DDS today to schedule an examination. We will ensure that your oral health is in expert hands.
Maintaining oral health is vital for overall well-being. Beyond fostering a radiant smile, good oral hygiene plays a pivotal role in reducing the risk of infections, heart disease, and even cancer, making it an integral aspect of both your and your family’s health and wellness. While you might instinctively consider a pediatric dentist as the ideal choice for your children’s dental care, a family dentist in Rockville MD is equally equipped to provide exceptional oral health services. One of the primary advantages of choosing a family dentist is the convenience it offers. By making just one phone call, you can schedule appointments for the entire family, streamlining the process and minimizing logistical hassles associated with visiting multiple dental practitioners. Let’s delve into more benefits of family dentistry in Rockville MD.
Family Dentistry in Rockville MD
A family dentist is a dental professional who provides care to patients spanning all age groups, ranging from children to adults. Their services encompass a comprehensive range of treatments, including dental checkups, cleanings, examinations, fillings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, and more.
Eliminating Dental Anxiety
Both dental phobia and dental anxiety can lead to the postponement or avoidance of dental care. If any of your family members experience these conditions, scheduling dental checkups together as a family can be beneficial.
Children, in particular, may develop dental anxiety early on, and having a family dentist can aid in overcoming it. When children observe their parents attending checkups or receiving treatment, they gain confidence and become more at ease with the dental experience. Children often mirror the behaviors and attitudes of their parents. By demonstrating the importance of regular dental visits, you establish a lasting impression.
The significant advantage of attending appointments with a family dentist together is that it helps children overcome their fears early on, fostering a lifelong comfort with dental visits.
A Family Dentist is Convenient
The convenience of having a family dentist for your entire household is undeniable. By scheduling one appointment for multiple individuals or the entire family, you streamline your life. Gone are the days of needing to take time off work on various occasions for separate appointments—one for yourself, another for your children at the pediatric dentist, and yet another for your teenagers elsewhere.
Family Dentists Know Your Dental History
One of the key benefits of lifelong family dentistry is the familiarity your dentist will have with your family’s dental history. If there have been past dental conditions, surgeries, allergies, or sensitivities, your dentist will have comprehensive records of these. This enables them to tailor suitable treatments based on your family’s specific dental needs and medical history.
Having a Family Dentist Means a Lasting Relationship
Establishing trust between you and your dentist is essential for several reasons. With trust in place, communication becomes effortless, allowing you to share information openly and honestly. When your dentist is fully informed, they can accurately diagnose symptoms, ensuring that you and your family members receive the appropriate treatment.
Regular and Consistent Services
To uphold the oral health of you and your family members, it’s recommended to schedule visits to your family dentist at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. With a family dentist, you’ll feel assured about attending these appointments, reducing the likelihood of missing any.
Preventative Care
Family dentists are experts in a wide range of dental fields catering to individuals of all age groups. Since children’s teeth are still developing, they require specialized care. Family dentists provide guidance on preventive measures to maintain optimal dental health for children. Additionally, it’s important to act early if one of your children requires teeth alignment. In fact, it is more beneficial in children compared to adults.
Emergency Dental Services
In times of urgent dental care needs, having a trusted dentist readily available is invaluable. You can rely on them to provide immediate assistance to any member of your family. Instead of searching for an emergency dentist each time a situation arises, you can simply reach out to your family dentist and schedule an immediate appointment.
Family Dentist in Rockville MD
Dr. Hackley and our knowledgeable and compassionate staff are dedicated to helping you create and maintain a smile you love. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Does your child have a fear of the dentist? Or do you avoid the dentist’s office like the plague? If so, sedation dentistry Rockville, Maryland might be the perfect solution. ease some of your anxiety. Used for everything from invasive procedures to routine cleanings, sedation dentistry is a great way to ease dental anxiety. Keep ready to learn whether it’s right for you.
What Is Sedation Dentistry? 
As the name suggests, sedation dentistry uses medication to relax dental patients during their procedures. When it comes to dentistry, there are four levels of sedation that are used:
- Minimal sedation. The patient is awake, yet relaxed.
- Moderate sedation. The patient might slur their words, and they probably won’t remember much about the procedure.
- Deep sedation. The patient is on the edge of consciousness, but they can be woken up if needed.
- General anesthesia. The patient is completely unconscious.
Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry
Interested in getting sedation dentistry Rockville, Maryland? Your practitioner will likely use one of the following:
- Inhaled minimal sedation. Essentially, this requires inhaling a combination of nitrous oxide (aka “laughing gas”) and oxygen.
- Oral sedation. Depending on the dosage, this kind of sedation ranges from minimal to moderate. Most patients are given a pill called Halcion (which belongs to the same family as Valium), which is one of the most common forms of sedation dentistry.
- IV moderate sedation. The patient receives the sedative drug through a vein.
- Deep sedation/general anesthesia. Just like in surgical offices, general anesthesia administers medications that make the patient almost or totally unconscious.
Best Sedation Dentistry Rockville, Maryland
To summarize, sedation dentistry is ideal for patients who fear the dentist. Additionally, it’s great for people who have low pain thresholds, sensitive teeth, bad gag reflexes, or are unable to sit still for long periods of time.
If you’re looking for the best sedation dentistry in Rockville, Maryland, you’ve found it at Hackley DDS. Schedule a consult today.
