Special Health Care Needs in Orlando
We're passionate about creating an inclusive dental home where every smile is welcome. Our team takes the time to get to know your child personally, understand what helps them feel comfortable, and customize their care experience around their unique needs.

Why should I choose a pediatric dentist for my child?
Our team is trained in managing various conditions, including sensory sensitivities, mobility challenges, and medical complexities, ensuring that each visit is a positive experience. With patience, understanding, and specialized techniques, we strive to make dental care accessible and stress-free for all children.

The Benefits of Specialized Needs Dentistry
Better Patient Accommodations
We tailor our care to each patient’s individual needs, making adjustments to the environment such as modifying lighting and sound levels for those with sensory sensitivities. When necessary, we also utilize specialized equipment and provide additional support to ensure a comfortable and positive dental experience.
Expert Care For Every Patient
Our team has extensive experience caring for patients with diverse physical, cognitive, and developmental needs. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and comfortable environment, tailoring our approach to meet each child's unique requirements throughout their dental care journey.
Comfortable Sedation Options
We provide a range of sedation options to help ensure a calm and comfortable experience for our patients. These options can assist children who may feel anxious or have difficulty undergoing dental procedures in a traditional setting, allowing them to receive the care they need in a relaxed and stress-free manner.
Special Health Care Needs Dentistry Process
Initial Health Assessment
We start with a comprehensive consultation to gain a full understanding of your child's health and unique needs. This includes reviewing their medical history, current medications, therapy routines, and any relevant conditions. We also take into account past dental experiences, sensory sensitivities, and communication preferences to create a supportive and accommodating environment. This thorough assessment allows us to provide personalized care that best meets your child's needs.
Oral Exam & Teeth Cleaning
During the first visit, we'll conduct a thorough oral examination and gentle cleaning at a pace that feels comfortable for your child. This allows us to assess their dental development, identify any immediate concerns, and understand their unique oral health patterns. We use this time to also observe how your child responds to different aspects of dental care, which helps us refine our approach for future visits.
Personalized Treatment Plan
After gathering all necessary information, we'll sit down with you to discuss our findings and recommendations in detail. Together, we'll develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your child's immediate dental needs while considering their overall health requirements. This plan includes specific in-office treatment recommendations, preventive care strategies, and practical home care techniques tailored to your child's abilities and routine.
What makes us different
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Many conditions can impact your child’s dental care experience, including ADHD, Anxiety, Asthma, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Cleft Lip & Palate, Depression, Diabetes, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Hearing Impairment, and Traumatic Brain Injury. When scheduling an appointment, please let us know about your child’s specific condition so we can ensure our practice meets your family’s needs.
Certain medical conditions can have a significant impact on oral health. Both the condition itself and associated treatments may affect tooth and oral structure development, mineral levels essential for enamel strength, saliva production, and dietary habits. Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining both general health and dental well-being. Additionally, chewing plays an important role in stimulating jaw bone development and aiding in the natural removal of plaque and tartar through friction.
Many children's liquid medicines contain sweeteners to make them more palatable. While this helps ensure children take their medication, these sugars can lead to cavities without proper oral care afterward. Some medications may also reduce saliva production, creating dry mouth conditions that increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and infections. Please share your child's medication list with us so we can develop appropriate oral care recommendations.
Brushing can be more challenging for children with special needs, but there are ways to make it easier and more effective:
- Establish a routine: Brush at the same times each day to create predictability and comfort.
- Use adaptive tools: Try toothbrushes with larger handles, electric brushes, or three-sided brushes. Toothbrush grips or mouth props can also help.
- Find a comfortable position: Sit behind your child, lay them on a flat surface with their head in your lap, or work with another caregiver to support positioning.
- Go slowly and use encouragement: Break brushing into steps, offer praise, and allow short breaks if needed.
- Accommodate sensory needs: Use mild or unflavored toothpaste and introduce the brush gradually. A damp cloth can be a starting point if the toothbrush isn’t tolerated.
- We can suggest specific techniques, tools, and routines tailored to your child’s needs.
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