Special needs dentistry

Everyone at some point of their lives needs dental medical care. However, there are some people in the community who have special needs and they require special facilities or services to be able to receive dental care. People with special and physical disabilities or health issues might have problems getting into the surgery room, hospitals or even a dental chair. Adults or children with learning disabilities may become overanxious at the thought of going to a dentist.

Who needs special care for dental needs?

The people who need special care for dental need includes:

• Adults or children with severe physical or mental disability
• Adults or children with medical conditions who need additional dental care
• Housebound and homeless people
• Children with excessive untreated tooth decay and are particularly anxious or uncooperative
• Children who are ‘looked after’ or are on the ‘risk register’.
  Aging or elderly people.

Who can provide dental treatment to patients with special needs?

Trained dentists who have specialized in dealing with patients with special needs are suitable enough to handle such patients. Although, any dentist who is well-trained, kind, patient, or compassionate enough can provide effective treatment to children and adults with special needs.

What dental patients with special needs need?

First or foremost, a child or an adult with special needs will require a well-experienced and qualified dentist.

However, following are the accommodations required by the people with special needs:

• An efficient team of assistants to doctors at the time of examination and treatment of patients with special needs
• Caregiver or guardian of the patient should be present at the time of treatment to ensure that the patient does not become anxious, scared, or nervous
• A systematic approach to the examination and treatment of the patient so the appointments are short and necessary
• Sedation dentistry to promote patient comfort if longer appointments are required
• Flexible appointment scheduling
• Awareness and knowledge of the patient’s physical, mental, or emotional health so that they are treated wisely

What dental services do we offer for the patients with special needs at Saudi German Hospital?

At SGH, we provide patients with specialized dental services including customizes department for patients with special needs, highly qualified doctors with decades of experience in dealing with patients with special needs, trained nursing staff, home visits by the professional medical staff, special accommodation at the dental office in order to receive treatment, facilities of automatic wheelchairs for the patients, and a team of psychologists to cater with the anxiety, fear or nervousness of the patients.