World Autism Awareness Day: Dental Care for Children with Autism

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Autism affects 1 in 68 US children, more common than pediatric AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined. Children with autism can have difficulties with communication, social interaction, and sensory processing - characteristics that pose very unique challenges in the dental setting:

Some of these challenges include:

• Communication problems - being able to communicate at the patient’s intellectual and functional abilities
• Behavior problems - may include hyperactivity and quick frustration. The invasive nature of oral care may trigger violent and self-injurious behavior (IE: temper tantrums or head banging).
• Unusual responses to stimuli - can create distractions and interrupt treatment. Children with autism can be especially sensitive to changes in their environment and each reaction may vary. Some may overreact to noise and touch, while exposure to pain may not provoke a reaction at all.
• Unusual and unpredictable body movements - these movements can jeopardize safety as well as the delivery of proper oral health care.
• Seizures - the mouth is always at risk during a seizure (IE: chipped tooth, bitten tongue or cheeks).

At Adelberg and Montalvan Pediatric Dental, we are devoted to providing the best mental and dental care for all of our patients, including those with special healthcare needs. Our doctors are specially trained in special needs dentistry and are committed to providing your child with the attention and care they deserve to create a positive dental experience.

Our doctors have a comprehensive education in behavior management, sedation, and anesthesia techniques. Once a technique is chosen based on the specific needs of your child, our doctors will discuss the benefits, limits, and risks with you. Give us a call today for more information!

 

Adelberg Montalvan Featured in NYMetroParents

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

We've been featured in an article on NYMetroParents! Our new, West Islip, location is highlighted in addition to services we offer. See below for an excerpt and a link following to read the full article!

Thanks for the great write up NYMetroParents:

With offices located in Massapequa Park and Nesconset, Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental recently opened its West Islip location. The pediatric dental practice makes visiting the dentist a fun experience for kids, offering the highest quality dental care in a fun and enjoyable environment. All three offices are decorated in a under the sea theme to create a positive experience for children.

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental offers early dental care to help children develop good oral health habits, general dental treatment to keep your child’s teeth clean and healthy, sedation dentistry for fearful or anxious patients, laser dentistry, and dental care for children with special needs. The practice also offers orthodontic care, such as Invisalign Teen, braces, and retainers.

Full article here!

Questions, Answered: What is Sedation Dentistry?

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

If you bring your child for a dental visit and they end up needing to be sedated, you may be quite nervous or skeptical of the process. We don’t blame you! That’s why we want to explain the services we offer to ease your minds.

Sedation dentistry is available to facilitate dental treatment to fearful and anxious patients or those who are unable to cooperate due to lack of psychological or emotional maturity and/or a disability.

Sedation can range from using Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) to General Anesthesia, here we’ll explain the differences should your child ever need either of the two:

Nitrous Oxide – Laughing Gas

Nitrous oxide has a calming effect on patients, especially those who are anxious, phobic, or tend to gag during their dental treatment. It is a mild sedation, administered through a small, scented mask, where patients are still conscious and can talk. The effects of the ‘laughing gas’ do not linger and rarely ever has side effects.

IV Sedation

IV Sedation provides a way for completing all of a child’s dental needs while he or she is comfortable, pain-free, and sound asleep. This type of sedation is utilized in our office with an experienced and qualified dental anesthesiologist, Dr. Boorin. Dr. Boorin uses medications and monitors equal to those currently used in hospitals. Children are awoken soon after the dental treatment is completed and free from any memory of the treatment itself, the IV, and our monitors.

Feel free to discuss both options with any of our doctors. For additional information, visit our website!