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Kurt R. Kwiatkowski DDS
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Providing Special Needs Dentistry For Patients

Dental care for children and adults who have mental and physical disabilities or limitations, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, behavioral issues, ADHD, extreme anxiety or phobias, and more.

We Make Dental Care Accessible For Everyone

Patients with special needs are those who due to physical, medical, developmental, or cognitive conditions require special consideration when receiving dental treatment. This can include adults and children with autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and numerous other medical conditions or injuries that can make standard dental procedures more difficult.

Learn More About Special Needs Dentistry in Grafton

Dentists and dental teams who treat patients with developmental disabilities, anxiety, injuries, and other medical conditions requiring specialized service, are trained to provide oral health care customized to their patient’s needs.

The dental office of special care providers can feature enhanced accessibility, private rooms, safe and calming environments, sensory objects and tools, and other features designed to make a dental visit more inviting for those with special needs.

Dentists and dental teams who provide care for patients with unique needs are trained and qualified to deliver special care dentistry and to address the unique medical challenges that come with some conditions.

A dentist trained to treat patients with special needs can address:

  • Mental challenges, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism, Down syndrome, and others.
  • Behavioral issues due to anxiety, ADD & ADHD, or a developmental disability.
  • Mobility issues, which may require a patient to use a wheelchair or a walker.
  • Neuromuscular problems, which can affect the mouth. Some patients with disabilities have persistently rigid or loose chewing muscles, or have drooling, gagging, or swallowing issues.
  • Uncontrolled body movements, which can jeopardize safety during treatment.
  • Cardiac disorders, particularly mitral valve prolapse and heart valve damage, which are common in people with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome. Your dentist can consult a cardiologist to determine the need for pre-treatment antibiotics.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux, which sometimes affects people with central nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy.
  • Seizures, which accompany many developmental disabilities.
  • Visual impairments.
  • Hearing Loss and Deafness.
  • Latex allergies, which are more common in people with developmental disabilities.

A dentist trained to provide special care dentistry can also offer general anesthesia or sedation to make treatment easier for patients.

Customized dental service for special needs patients includes compassionate, well-trained staff, accessible access to the dental office and dental chair, private and calming environments, and visual, auditory, and sensory tools to help patients have a positive experience during their dental appointment.

Your dentist is trained to treat the following oral health problems, which occur more frequently in patients with disabilities:

  • Tooth decay.
  • Periodontal (gum) disease.
  • Malocclusion. Misalignment of teeth occurs more often in people with developmental disabilities.
    Damaging oral habits such as teeth grinding and clenching.
  • Oral malformations, including enamel defects, high lip lines with dry gums, and variations in the number, size, and shape of teeth.
  • Delayed tooth eruption, which can occur in children with developmental disabilities.
    Trauma and injury to the mouth from falls or accidents.

Contact Us Today

Caregivers of those with special needs tend to only take them when there’s an obvious problem since the experience can be a bit too overwhelming for patients. That’s why it’s important to find a dentist who can able to treat patients with special needs. Regular appointments can help maintain good oral hygiene and a healthy smile for a special needs patient.

Contact us today to book the next visit for a special needs patient and keep them on the path to a lifetime of dental health.

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