Posted by writeradmin
My child is autistic, and I’m scheduling a dental appointment for them. Should I tell the dental office about their autism ahead of time or is that unnecessary unless there’s a problem during the appointment? I’m worried they won’t treat him if they know.
Grace
Dear Grace,
Yes, it is important to tell the dentist, so they can be prepared. Besides, if they won’t treat your child because he’s autistic, then they are definitely NOT the dentist you want for your child anyway. There are dentists who are absolutely thrilled to work with autistic children.
Our philosophy is please tell us—but don’t stop there. Knowing your child is autistic is helpful, but knowing your child is even more important.
Autism affects children differently. One child may be especially sensitive to the bright light over the dental chair, while another may be bothered more by sounds, tastes, or textures. Some children feel safer when they know exactly what will happen next. Others can become overwhelmed by too much explanation. Knowing your child’s unique needs helps his dentist give him the best experience possible.
Before the appointment, consider telling the dental team about:
– Sensory triggers your child finds particularly difficult
– How your child prefers to communicate
– Anything that helps your child feel calm or safe
– How your child handles changes in routine
– Previous positive or negative dental experiences
– Signs that indicate your child is becoming overwhelmed
You can also ask whether your child may bring a favorite comfort item to the appointment.
Sharing this information beforehand gives the dental team an opportunity to prepare. Most importantly, an autism diagnosis isn’t an instruction manual. Two autistic children may need completely different things to have a successful dental experience.
At Louisiana Dental Group, we work hard to make dental visits as comfortable and positive as possible for your child. It’s best if we can do that in tandem with the parents, who know their child best.
When scheduling an appointment, don’t just tell us the diagnosis. Tell us about your child.
This blog is brought to you by Louisiana Dental Group.
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