Tips for Preparing Your Special Needs Child for a Dentist Appointment

Unfamiliar and new experiences can trigger anxiety in any child, and especially for those with special needs. At Dental Care 4 Kids, our pediatric dentists in Englewood, NJ, are specially trained to provide calming, positive, top-notch dental care for children with special needs. Over the years, we’ve found that these tips for preparing anxious children for a dental appointment can make it go much more easily.

1. Read and Watch Happy Dentist Appointment Stories

In the weeks and days leading up to your child’s appointment, read and watch developmentally-appropriate, carefully-curated stories and videos about other children going to the dentist. Choose stories and videos that show children having a calm, happy experience at the dentist. Pause to explain different aspects of a dental visit and answer your child’s questions. Showing a child other children calmly doing the same activity can help demystify the experience and lower anxiety levels.

2. Prepare with Sensory Play

If your child has oral sensory sensitivities, it may be a challenge for them to have someone touching their mouth. Occupational therapists advise using sensory play with safe and approved objects like teething rings or chewy tubes.

3. Plan a Post-Dentist Appointment Reward

As you prepare your child for a dentist appointment, plan some sort of happy, post-dental-appointment reward for them so they have something fun to look forward to afterward.

4. Find a Dentist Who Specializes in Working with Special Needs Children

Our Englewood, NJ pediatric dentists are specially trained to work with children who have special needs. We understand that special needs dentistry is a partnership between the parent, the child, and the dental team. We will ask a lot of questions about your child, and how to make them feel welcome and comfortable, and we will do everything we can to create a positive experience that will help them feel relaxed. We can offer safe sedation dentistry, if needed, and we even have a team of special therapists who can sit alongside your child to help them feel more comfortable during the appointment.

5. Make a Pre-Appointment Visit to Meet Your Special Needs Dentists in Englewood, NJ

It can also be helpful to schedule a pre-appointment visit with our Dental Care 4 Kids team, so your child can see the office and meet the staff. We are eager to help your child have a stress-free, positive experience that can set them up for good dental health for life! Schedule an appointment today.