DESENSITIZATION VISITS

Phobias of the dentist are very real for kids, even adults. These phobias can stem from a prior poor experience, hearing negativity about the dentist from parents, or other extensive history of medical visits, hospitalizations, blood draws, etc. These fears can be especially heightened for children with special needs, Autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders. We know that the dental office has many sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that can be triggering for these sensitive children. With our advanced specialty training in pediatric dentistry, continuing education, years of experience, and love for all kids, we have created a program called our “special needs protocol” that caters to each particular child with a customized approach. These visits are usually frequent, such as every 4 weeks and work with the child at a slower pace. We don’t charge for each of these visits, only when we accomplish a milestone such as a full exam, a cleaning or taking x-rays. For example, if it takes us 5 appointments to complete a dental cleaning, we only charge at that 5th appointment, not each individual visit.

We are taking the extra time to break down big tasks in to small manageable bites. The first visit may be slowly warming up to coming inside the office and playing with toys in the playroom. We also use this time to get a detailed history from the parent on their child’s medical diagnoses, needs, habits, likes, dislikes, behaviors, triggers and previous experiences. During this time, we encourage the child to play and familiarize themselves with anything and everything they’re interested in. They’re welcome to explore the office! At the second visit, they recognize the familiar smiling faces at the check-in desk and the fun toys they played with before. They get to hang out in the same quiet, private operatory again where they will find the dental chair, other fun toys or their favorite characters playing on the tv. With each subsequent visit, and as many as it takes, we build upon the previous one. Slowly but surely, we accomplish the full dental visit. We do this all while forming a trusting and friendly relationship!

A technique we use for most children is the Tell-Show-Do method. We tell the child what we’re going to do like polish their teeth, then show them on a model or their finger, then do the step with them. All while saying imaginative words, singing songs and giving lots of praise for being so brave! We also like to work with a child’s therapy team on ways they can prepare for these visits in advance at home or in their therapy sessions. This may include showing the child videos, pictures or props of things they may see in our office.

Desensitizing is attempting to change those triggering moments with something positive. We want each visit to end on a positive note. Parents help us with recognizing cues that signal the patient has conquered enough that visit. We give lots of praise and rewards for successes. Success can look different for each child, whether they allowed us to complete one small task like putting the lead apron on or completing an entire visit! We give high fives, stickers, tokens for the treasure tower or stuffed animals for the little ones that can’t have tiny trinkets.

Our mission is to create a safe space where children can visit the dentist, have healthy checkups and have fun in the process! We have seen great success with our special needs protocol.

Dr. Lindhorst, Dr. Darsey, Dr. Foss and the Heights Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Team