Providing exceptional care for every child is a top priority for the team at McNutt Pediatric Dentistry. That’s why pediatric dentist Timothy McNutt Sr., DDS, and his team deliver personalized special needs dental care at their office in Nashville, Tennessee. The team regularly sees children with special needs. With years of training and experience in treating children with special needs, they offer full-service care for their patients and their families. Call McNutt Pediatric Dentistry or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
request an appointmentWhat is special needs dental care?
Special needs dental care refers to the type of care children receive when they have physical or cognitive disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, or severe anxiety.
Children with special needs deserve the same individualized care that Dr. McNutt extends to all his patients. To ensure he’s meeting their unique needs, he takes a compassionate, careful approach to certain dental treatments, like teeth cleanings or cavity fillings.
How does special needs dental care work?
Dr. McNutt and his team take extra steps to ensure they’re making their patients with special needs feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed.
If you’re a parent or guardian, it’s important that you give the team as much information as possible regarding your child’s medical condition. Understanding your child’s sensitivities, fears, behaviors, and preferences is an essential step in caring for their needs.
Once Dr. McNutt and his team have a better understanding of your child’s condition, they can create a treatment plan to deliver the right care without agitating or causing stress to your child.
What is included in a special needs dental care plan?
There are many ways Dr. McNutt and his team can help your child with special needs feel comfortable during their visit.
Visiting the dentist is often overwhelming for children with sensory issues. New sights, smells, tastes, and sounds can trigger discomfort and fear in unfamiliar surroundings. If you have noise-canceling headphones at home, Dr. McNutt encourages you to bring them for your child to minimize any auditory discomfort.
Listening to calming music, watching a movie, or holding a beloved stuffed animal can also help your child relax. As a compassionate pediatric dentist, Dr. McNutt brings a positive, friendly attitude to every visit to ensure children feel as comfortable as possible under his care.
If your child is unable to sit through their visit comfortably, Dr. McNutt may recommend sedation techniques, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation (oral pill or liquid), or deep sedation (general anesthesia).
Sedation dentistry uses medications to promote relaxation and minimize pain and discomfort to reduce any anxiety your child may have during their visit. If you opt for general anesthesia, your child may even sleep through their appointment.
If your child has special needs, Dr. McNutt has the experience and compassion to deliver the best care possible. Call McNutt Pediatric Dentistry or schedule an appointment online today to learn more.