If you are a parent or caregiver of a child, teen, or adult who has special needs, you face a lot of challenges everyday. In additional to the extra care these individuals require, they also have the normal needs of those without their disabilities. Dental care is one of those. Individuals who have mental and physical disabilities present specific challenges for a special needs dentist CA patients have grown to trust.
When elderly patients come into the dental office, the staff should already know the particular issues facing this individual. Hearing can be an issue for seniors. If this is the case, simply turning off background music can make a big difference. Sensitivity to light is also a consideration for some older patients, and closing blinds to reduce glare will make the patient more comfortable and relaxed.
Some mentally disabled individuals may not be able to comprehend simple instructions given by technicians during a routine examination. When someone is this severely impaired, it is often necessary to bring the caregiver into the examining room to help the technicians communicate effectively. All of this can take extra appointment time, so the administrative staff should plan for that.
Most dentists find that those suffering from mental illness are better served when exams are kept as short as possible. If the patient requires a complicated procedure, sedating him is often the best option. It can be difficult for people with certain mental conditions to maintain a consistent oral health regimen because medications they take often leave their mouths dry and uncomfortable.
Dentists who see children with behavioral problems must be ready for anything. They also have to exhibit a lot of patience. Autistic children, for example, are extremely sensitive to change. They don't like it and can become extremely uncomfortable in strange surroundings. It may be important for them to see the same technician on each visit and have their examination in the same room every time.
Dental visits can be stressful for anyone. They can be especially hard for those who are mental and physically impaired. Caregivers need to pay special attention when deciding which dentists will examine their loved ones. The office should have plenty of personnel in case extra assistance is needed in the examining room. Employees need to know whether or not a patient has trouble sitting and cooperating for extended periods of time and adjust the appointments accordingly.
Dentists and their staff must be familiar with every patient who has issues with age or disabilities and structure the visits around their needs. They also have to have some understanding of the nature of an individual patient's disease and any particular challenges that might arise between medications they are taking and oral health.
Each patient is an individual no matter what their situation. Caregivers should choose dentists who are sensitive to the challenges special individuals present. Treating each patient with equal respect and attentiveness is of utmost importance.
When elderly patients come into the dental office, the staff should already know the particular issues facing this individual. Hearing can be an issue for seniors. If this is the case, simply turning off background music can make a big difference. Sensitivity to light is also a consideration for some older patients, and closing blinds to reduce glare will make the patient more comfortable and relaxed.
Some mentally disabled individuals may not be able to comprehend simple instructions given by technicians during a routine examination. When someone is this severely impaired, it is often necessary to bring the caregiver into the examining room to help the technicians communicate effectively. All of this can take extra appointment time, so the administrative staff should plan for that.
Most dentists find that those suffering from mental illness are better served when exams are kept as short as possible. If the patient requires a complicated procedure, sedating him is often the best option. It can be difficult for people with certain mental conditions to maintain a consistent oral health regimen because medications they take often leave their mouths dry and uncomfortable.
Dentists who see children with behavioral problems must be ready for anything. They also have to exhibit a lot of patience. Autistic children, for example, are extremely sensitive to change. They don't like it and can become extremely uncomfortable in strange surroundings. It may be important for them to see the same technician on each visit and have their examination in the same room every time.
Dental visits can be stressful for anyone. They can be especially hard for those who are mental and physically impaired. Caregivers need to pay special attention when deciding which dentists will examine their loved ones. The office should have plenty of personnel in case extra assistance is needed in the examining room. Employees need to know whether or not a patient has trouble sitting and cooperating for extended periods of time and adjust the appointments accordingly.
Dentists and their staff must be familiar with every patient who has issues with age or disabilities and structure the visits around their needs. They also have to have some understanding of the nature of an individual patient's disease and any particular challenges that might arise between medications they are taking and oral health.
Each patient is an individual no matter what their situation. Caregivers should choose dentists who are sensitive to the challenges special individuals present. Treating each patient with equal respect and attentiveness is of utmost importance.
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You can get great tips for picking a dental practitioner and more information about an experienced special needs dentist CA area at http://www.drjustinshuffer.com now.
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