Helping Special Health Care Need Patients
Everyone is welcome here!
At Dentistry for Children, our Pediatric Dentists and Staff are trained in helping children with additional Special Health Care Needs. From Dental Anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism, ADHD to other syndromes or Physical, Developmental, Behavioral, and Emotional Needs, WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
Preparing Dental Patients for their Dental Appointment
Scroll down this screen to see our “Visiting Dentistry For Children Social Story Page.” Our Social Story Page is designed to help our new patients and any patients requiring additional preparation for their Dental visit to the Gladstone Office. Check out our downloadable PDF social story, and feel free to print it out to review with your child before future appointments. Reviewing these images will help you and your child feel comfortable at their Dental Appointment and make the visit go smoothly.
How we help Young Patients Feel Comfortable
Our Dental Staff uses tell-show-do methods with all patients to help them feel comfortable. We also provide additional measures such as weighted blankets, private rooms, low-sensitivity appointments, and nitrous oxide as needed for your child. If you have any questions about our appointments or would like your child to help with their visits, please feel free to contact us at 816-548-3400. We can’t wait to meet you or see you again!
Visiting Dentistry For Children – Gladstone Office
Social Story
Instructions: Scroll down the screen and read the Social Story with your child to prepare them for visiting our Pediatric Dental Office. Your child may also read the story independently.
Check-In
When I get to the dentist’s office, I will check in at the front desk.
Entrance-Waiting Room
Then I will wait in the waiting room. I can read books, play games, or watch TV while I wait for the dentist.
Hallway to Treatment
The dentist’s assistant will call me inside and I will walk down a hallway. I will get to sit on a special chair that looks almost like a bed.
XRay Chair
The dentist might ask me to sit in a different chair or stand to take a picture of my mouth and teeth. The dentist might ask me if I am doing okay and I can answer that I am okay.
Xray Sensor
The dentist might also need to take X-rays of my teeth. To do this, they will ask me to gently bite down on a small piece called an X-ray sensor. This sensor goes in my mouth for a few seconds while a special camera takes pictures of my teeth. The pictures help the dentist see inside my teeth and make sure everything is healthy. The X-ray sensor doesn’t hurt; I just have to stay still for a moment.
Open Bay Area
The dentist’s office has something called an open bay treatment area. This means that other people might be in chairs near me. I might see other kids getting their teeth checked too. It’s okay if I hear sounds or see people nearby. I can focus on my chair and the friendly people helping me. I know they are all there to make my teeth healthy.
Private Room
If I prefer a quieter space or need less distractions, I can ask to be in a private room. I will get to sit on a special chair that looks almost like a bed. The room will have a monitor and items to help my teeth.
Mirror
The dentist will wear gloves and a mask to keep everything clean. They will look at my teeth with a tiny mirror and a special light. The mirror goes in my mouth and helps the dentist see all of my teeth, even the ones in the back. The mirror might feel a little cool, but it doesn’t hurt.
Cleaning Set
The dentist will use a cleaning set to make my teeth super shiny and clean. The cleaning set has different tools to help remove any tiny bits of food or plaque from my teeth.
Tickle Tooth Brush
One of the dentist tools is a tickle toothbrush to clean my teeth. The tickle toothbrush is a small tool that makes a buzzing sound and spins around to clean each tooth. It might feel tickly or a little bumpy on my teeth, kind of like a gentle tickle! This tool is helping to remove any little bits of food or plaque, making my teeth super shiny and clean.
Water Squirter
Sometimes, they will use a water squirter in my mouth. The water squirter sprays a tiny bit of water to rinse my teeth and make sure they are extra clean. It might feel cool and wet, like a little sprinkle in my mouth.
Mr. Thirsty
Then, they might use a special suction tool called Mr. Thirsty. Mr. Thirsty helps suck up the extra water or spit in my mouth. He makes a funny slurping sound and feels like a tiny straw. I just let him do his job, and he makes sure my mouth stays nice and dry.
Toy Machine Goodbye
Before I leave, I get to stop by the Pirate toy machine and pick out a special prize! This is a fun way to say goodbye after my visit to the dentist.
