How Do People With Autism Go To The Dentist In Corinth, TX?
Autism Spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition, including multiple severity levels and symptoms. Every experience is so overwhelming for such individuals that they should receive specialized dental care from the best dentist in Corinth, TX, which can accommodate their unique needs in a comfortable and supportive environment.
According to 2022 research on 8-year individuals, autism is highly prevalent among children in Texas according to the CDC’s ADDM Network, affecting around 32.2% per 1,000 children. Some research also supports the evidence of dental caries and periodontal disease prevalence among autistic children and young adults.
At Adorable Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we have a professional pediatric dentist in Corinth with specialized training to understand the behavioral complexities of the autism spectrum disorder. We have a welcoming environment with high-technology tools that efficiently support comfortable visits and effective care that can fulfill the unique needs of autistic children.
What are the challenges faced by Autistic People with their Dental Care?
Children with ASD experience social communication challenges, a strong preference for routines, repetitive behaviors (such as having difficulty in adapting to unfamiliar places), and heightened sensory sensitivities that can also have a negative impact on their dental visits.
Dental offices with bright lights, high-contrast patterns, and neon-colored walls can cause discomfort or sensory overload in certain individuals. Furthermore, the pediatric dental clinics are equipped with high-end dental equipment that produces high-pitched sounds that can be painful or overwhelming for autistic people suffering from hyperacusis.
How do people with autism go to the dentist in Corinth, TX?
People with autism feel anxious about going to unfamiliar places, such as dental clinics, until they have gone through the right preparation and anxiety reduction protocols to make such visits a comforting experience. Here are a few of the best strategies that can help autistic individuals get familiar with the dental clinic in Corinth:
Establish a Dental Home
Establishing a dental home before their first birthday can help your child make future dental visits smoother. A dental home builds a consistent and comfortable relationship with the dentist and gets familiar with the dental office environment.
Short and non-invasive dental visits are also beneficial in reducing the risk of cavities among autistic children at a young age and providing them with specialized preventive dental care.
Use Visual Supports and Social Stories
Visual support and social stories can help people with autism prepare for their dental visit. Simple narrative or online social stories about step-by-step dental visits, from entering the dental office, sitting on the dental chair, and the basic procedures that can help autistic individuals walk through the whole process in a controlled manner.
Role-Play A Dentist Visit at Home
People with autism can experience high sensory overload if they get to mingle with something unknown, similar to their dental appointment. The most effective and fun technique to ease their anxiety is to role-play a dental visit at home to help your child understand what to expect and how to react.
● Set the dental clinic scene at home by using a reclining chair to mimic a dental chair, a spoon to mimic a dental mirror, a cotton ball to mimic gauze, and a flashlight to mimic dental light as the “dental tools.”
● Be the dentist yourself and let them be your patient, or vice versa. Let your child touch or explore tools themselves to understand the feeling that these tools are safe. It is a fun activity that gives your child a sense of control.
● Give them a few instructions to superficially cover the basic dental steps, such as practicing opening the mouth wide, counting their teeth or telling them to do the same on you, and how to perform brushing.
● You can also use related pictures to explain to them about the dental appointment. Play dental suction recordings to help your child get used to them.
● Repeat the process regularly in a week or two and offer them rewards for their best behavior to give them encouragement and appreciation.
Communicate Your Child’s Needs with the Dentist
Open communication with the pediatric dentist to share your child's needs will help them understand your child's behavior and treat them accordingly. You can request a private room to discuss your child's specific needs and sensitivities to help them make necessary accommodations to ensure the safety and comfort of your child.
How to Choose an Autism-Friendly Dentist in Corinth, TX?
When choosing the best dentist for children with autism, you should research the highly experienced pediatric dentists near you in Corinth, TX. The pediatric dentist and team must have training in treating kids with special healthcare needs to create a positive dental visit experience.
Adorable Smiles Pediatric Dentistry features a specialized pediatric dentist, and environment to make people with autism's first and every visit a fun and positive experience. Our special need pediatric dentistry in Corinth, TX understands every patient's unique needs and uses gentle techniques to accommodate them to their best!