Our Services / Special Needs Dentistry

What is special needs dentistry?

Special needs dentistry is an area of dental practice focused on delivering preventive and restorative care to kids with all kinds of different care needs. The team at Desert Kids Dentistry acknowledges and respects the unique character traits, strengths, and challenges of all patients, including those with special needs. 

The team sees kids with advanced health care needs that require in-depth dental treatments. This includes kids going through cancer treatment and those who’ve sustained severe oral trauma. 

Dr. Petruzzi also welcomes kids with autism or developmental challenges. He celebrates the differences that make all kids unique and has the training, experience, and patience needed to deliver excellent care to every child who comes through the doors. 

What makes special needs dentistry different?

Kids with special needs often require more time and attention than other pediatric patients. It sometimes takes them longer to build a trusting bond with Dr. Petruzzi and his team, and they might need more time to become familiar with the office and the equipment used to perform care. 

Dr. Petruzzi takes the time to get to know your child and learn the best way to communicate with them. This might mean allowing kids to hold the dental instruments before they’re used. It might mean taking more time to teach kids how to brush and floss on their own to strengthen their at-home dental hygiene. 

In some cases, kids simply cannot easily withstand dental visits without high levels of stress. In those instances, Dr. Petruzzi offers various types of sedation dentistry to help your little one relax during the treatment process. 

What treatments can help support good dental health in kids with special needs?

All kids benefit from the same dental health care, but those with special needs can sometimes benefit from a little additional support. One example is dental sealants, which work to create a barrier between the crevices and contours of the biting surface of your child’s molars and the plaque, bacteria, and sticky foods that can cause decay. 

Silver diamine fluoride is another way to protect teeth from decay. Applying this solution can also halt the early stages of dental decay, preserving your child’s teeth without the need for traditional fillings. 

Most importantly, Dr. Petruzzi partners with parents of special needs children to learn their unique challenges. He advises you on how to maintain optimal dental health at home even if your child is sensitive to the sensory stimuli of brushing and flossing. 

You’ll also learn how making simple dietary modifications can help keep your child’s teeth as healthy as possible. Even something as simple as providing crunchy vegetables as snacks can go a long way toward maintaining a healthy bacterial balance within their mouth. 

Learn more about special needs dentistry options by booking a visit at Desert Kids Dentistry today. Online booking is available, or you can always call to check appointment availability.