If you are a parent or caregiver of a child, teen, or adult who has special needs, you face a lot of challenges everyday. In additional to the extra care these individuals require, they also have the normal needs of those without their disabilities. Dental care is one of those. Individuals who have mental and physical disabilities present specific challenges for a special needs dentist CA patients have grown to trust.
Seniors can have a lot of specific dental issues. They may end up spending more time in the dental office during this time. Loss of hearing can make it difficult for them to understand the instructions technicians and dentists give, so turning background music down, or completely off, often makes them more comfortable. Closing drapes or blinds to reduce glare is helpful for seniors sensitive to bright light.
Some mentally disabled individuals may not be able to comprehend simple instructions given by technicians during a routine examination. When someone is this severely impaired, it is often necessary to bring the caregiver into the examining room to help the technicians communicate effectively. All of this can take extra appointment time, so the administrative staff should plan for that.
Sometimes individuals with mental illnesses are unable to sit calmly in an examining room chair for extended periods of time. When dentists have patients with this issue, it is best to plan shorter and more frequent examinations. If a lengthy procedure is required, sedating this type of patient may be the only practical option. The medications some with mental disabilities take can lead to dental problems.
Dentists who see children with behavioral problems must be ready for anything. They also have to exhibit a lot of patience. Autistic children, for example, are extremely sensitive to change. They don't like it and can become extremely uncomfortable in strange surroundings. It may be important for them to see the same technician on each visit and have their examination in the same room every time.
When caregivers are choosing dentists for their loved ones, they have to ensure that everyone in the office is sensitive to the special needs of that person. The staff must take the time to make him feel comfortable and secure. This might entail extra assistants in the examination room and extended appointment times. Discussing the patient's needs with the caregiver in advance will help the dentist provide the best possible care for that individual.
It is not the job of dentists and their staff to be experts on aging or mental and physical illness. They do need to know something about the history and difficulties of the special patients they see. If they are conducting procedures that require sedation or medication, they have to know how these drugs interact with other medications the patients are taking.
All patients are individuals no matter whether they have physical or mental challenges or not. Treating each one with respect and thoughtfulness is very important. The best dental offices know each patient's individual situation and adjust their treatments accordingly.
Seniors can have a lot of specific dental issues. They may end up spending more time in the dental office during this time. Loss of hearing can make it difficult for them to understand the instructions technicians and dentists give, so turning background music down, or completely off, often makes them more comfortable. Closing drapes or blinds to reduce glare is helpful for seniors sensitive to bright light.
Some mentally disabled individuals may not be able to comprehend simple instructions given by technicians during a routine examination. When someone is this severely impaired, it is often necessary to bring the caregiver into the examining room to help the technicians communicate effectively. All of this can take extra appointment time, so the administrative staff should plan for that.
Sometimes individuals with mental illnesses are unable to sit calmly in an examining room chair for extended periods of time. When dentists have patients with this issue, it is best to plan shorter and more frequent examinations. If a lengthy procedure is required, sedating this type of patient may be the only practical option. The medications some with mental disabilities take can lead to dental problems.
Dentists who see children with behavioral problems must be ready for anything. They also have to exhibit a lot of patience. Autistic children, for example, are extremely sensitive to change. They don't like it and can become extremely uncomfortable in strange surroundings. It may be important for them to see the same technician on each visit and have their examination in the same room every time.
When caregivers are choosing dentists for their loved ones, they have to ensure that everyone in the office is sensitive to the special needs of that person. The staff must take the time to make him feel comfortable and secure. This might entail extra assistants in the examination room and extended appointment times. Discussing the patient's needs with the caregiver in advance will help the dentist provide the best possible care for that individual.
It is not the job of dentists and their staff to be experts on aging or mental and physical illness. They do need to know something about the history and difficulties of the special patients they see. If they are conducting procedures that require sedation or medication, they have to know how these drugs interact with other medications the patients are taking.
All patients are individuals no matter whether they have physical or mental challenges or not. Treating each one with respect and thoughtfulness is very important. The best dental offices know each patient's individual situation and adjust their treatments accordingly.
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You can get great tips for picking a dental practitioner and more information about an experienced special needs dentist CA area at http://www.drjustinshuffer.com now.
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