Being a medical parent changes things.

Life takes on a whole new meaning when you become a medical parent. Your child’s day-to-day life involves more thought and planning than you ever imagined, and you’re fighting to keep up. One day, you have a regular doctor’s appointment, the next you might have to drive to a specialist across town. With everything going on, finding a dentist to help kids with medical needs can often fall somewhere at the back of that to-do list.

When your child has spent so much time in and out of various medical procedures, it’s hard for them not to end up with some form of medical anxiety. Unfortunately, that tends to transfer to the dental office. Here at We Make Kids Smile, we do our best to live up to our name. We want to help your child with their anxieties, give them a safe place, and help them find their smile. At the same time, we want to ensure that you, the parent, feel safe and welcome, and part of your child’s team.

When choosing the right dentist for your kids with medical needs, it is imperative that they have the knowledge and skills to help everyone feel at ease—including both the patient and the parent. Throughout all of our procedures, we do our best to ensure that your child’s comfort and safety is prioritized.

1. Sedation

Sometimes, children with special needs require sedation for their dental procedures. This can be due to medical anxieties or complications from their conditions. We are completely equipped with three different kinds of sedatives to fit the needs of each specific child.

Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, is a common form of sedation used in dental procedures. It’s a sweet-smelling gas that is sure to have your little one giggling at the slightest thing. This form of sedation has the lowest risk and will wear off shortly after the mask is removed.

Conscious sedation is good for children who have moderate dental anxiety. This form of sedation typically makes your child relaxed and very sleepy. Though it doesn’t put the patient to sleep, it isn’t uncommon for them to become relaxed enough to get a little shut-eye.

General anesthesia is typically used in cases where the child has acute dental anxiety, or needs extensive work. This is usually done in a hospital setting for maximum safety, as this is the strongest form of sedation. With this, your child will go to sleep just as if they were going under for surgery.

If sedation is the best choice for you and your child, we have you covered with a complete guide on how to prepare.

2. It Takes a Village

We work in collaboration with your child’s other medical providers. This is extra important when your child has an extensive medical history. Your child may have sensitivities to specific medical procedures, which makes working hand-in-hand with the rest of their pediatric team imperative.

3. In-Office Accommodations

In the office, we are fully equipped with individualized accommodations to help your child. We are not only a wheelchair-accessible facility, but we are also able to do our treatments without transferring your child to a traditional dental chair.

We adjust our dental equipment to fit your child’s individual needs. To limit the number of stimuli, we can adjust the appointment time to when there are fewer people in the waiting room, or even dim the lights in our office.

4. Trained Staff

Dental knowledge isn’t the only thing our staff is trained in. They are also trained extensively to assist with various medical concerns. This includes cleft palates and ensuring we treat all of our patients with compassion.

5. Meet and Greet

We encourage meet-and-greets with the dental staff. This can help your child mentally prepare for their upcoming procedure. During these visits, they can have a tour of the exam rooms and ask any questions about concerns they might have. If your child is feeling comfortable enough, we can take the time to perform a mock exam, ensuring your child knows exactly what to expect.

In the end, ensuring your child is able to get the restorative dental work they need can greatly improve their quality of life. As a parent, you want them to be as comfortable as possible, both mentally and physically. We are fully prepared to help you and your child through their next dental procedure, no matter if they suffer from extreme dental anxiety or have a cleft palate. Our staff is well trained to help ensure your child is comfortable every step of the way.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact us. Remember, we are here for you and your child every step of the way.