Dental Care For Your Special Needs Child

It’s been discovered by the American Academy of Pediatrics that, among the special needs population, dental care is the most unmet need. In fact, children with special needs are twice as likely as their peers to have dental problems that go untreated. Here at Little Rockies Pediatric Dentistry, we find this statistic shocking and saddening.

Why Don’t Special Needs Children Receive Dental Care?

There are many reasons why the parents of special needs children choose to skip the dentist’s office. A few of these reasons include:

• Financial strain, especially with numerous medical bills
• Limited transportation to the dentist’s office
• Lack of special needs access to the dental building
• Trouble finding a dentist who can handle and understand their child’s needs
• Limited access to dental care
• Lower priority given to oral health care in comparison to the other medical needs

Every one of these reasons is completely understandable and they make sense. However, children with special needs require even more attention to their dental needs and are even more likely to develop cavities. This is because:

• Inability to perform home oral hygiene on their own
• Trouble chewing or swallowing, leaving debris in the mouth
• Require medication containing sugar
• Weak mouth muscles, including the tongue, inhibiting cleaning oral surfaces
• Medications that can sometimes cause dry mouth

Here at Little Rockies Pediatric Dentistry, our top priority is to provide every child, no matter what special needs they may have, with the absolute best in dental care. Our staff is gentle and comforting and we go the extra mile to make sure our office provides a relaxing atmosphere for your child. We want every child to have a positive experience here!

To make an appointment at our office, please contact Little Rockies Pediatric Dentistry, located in Parker, CO.