SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN FRANKFORT
A Special Garden for the Brightest Smiles
All of our pediatric dentists in Chicago and Frankfort have completed countless hours of training focused on working with children with a wide array of special needs. But, what makes Growing Smiles stand out is that each of our dentists is also on staff at Lurie Children’s Hospital, meaning we’re more capable of handling complex cases (including performing treatment with general anesthesia), working with other members of a child’s medical team, and offering everything they could need to achieve and maintain optimal oral health.
Why Choose Growing Smiles Children’s Dentistry for Special Needs Dentistry?
- Led by 4 Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists
- Owned & Operated by Two Proud Moms
- General Anesthesia Available for Nervous Patients
Special Needs Present Unique Oral Challenges
While you probably know this intuitively, research has shown for decades that children with special needs tend to suffer from higher rates of dental issues like cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss in addition to dental anxiety. Our goal is to make sure your child not only stays healthy, but has a consistently positive experience with our team and in the chair so that trips to the dentist aren’t an additional source of stress.
How Do We Help Our Patients with Special Needs Feel Comfortable?
On top of offering sedation like nitrous oxide and general anesthesia (through our relationship with Lurie Children’s Hospital), we can also do things like dim the lights, adjust the soundscape of the office, and ensure there are no triggering smells. We also know how to go slow and explain each move we make so that there are no surprises in the chair, making them feel like we’re taking care of their teeth together rather than them having a procedure performed on them.
Dental Tips for Patients with Special Needs
- Please reach out to our team ahead of your child’s appointment so we can accommodate them in whatever ways are deemed appropriate.
- Establish a dental home for your child as early as possible so they can become acclimated and comfortable with dental care as well as their care team.
- Try to establish a consistent hygiene routine that includes brushing twice a day, flossing, and using an alcohol-free mouthwash.
- Provide a diet that avoids overly processed items with a lot of added sugar, emphasizing fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean proteins.
