Special Needs Dentistry
At Caring Smiles Dental, we are prepared to assist those with physical, developmental, or cognitive conditions in the greater Portland area. Many patients with certain challenges find visits to dental offices to be extremely frustrating or frightening. We create a safe environment to ensure optimal comfort and safety from the moment you or your loved one enters our office to the time you walk out the door. We are willing to customize every dental patient’s experience so that it can be a positive one. Our gentle pediatric dentist office will take extra care.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Call: 503-430-5096
Email: info@visitcaringsmiles.com
How our family dental practice makes a visit easier for patients with special needs:
- Noise reducing headphones
- A.M. appointments
- Weighted blankets/X-ray apron
- Heated Massage Chair
- HD Television viewing
Our team is attentive to the needs of any child or adult living with a particular disability(ies) such as Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, deaf-blindness, deafness, developmental delay, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, specific learning disabilities, and brain injuries among others. At Caring Smiles Dental, our goal is to earn that special someone’s trust and confidence. Making sure our special needs patients feel calm, loved, and well cared for is our priority. Our family dental practice offers the best amenities and accommodations, and we are here to meet you and your loved one’s oral health goals.
Our Progress Ridge, Beaverton location was designed to accommodate patients with mobility conditions. These accommodations include open air parking, wide sidewalks, and an elevator.
We accommodate patients who have noise sensitivities by lowering background music and/or provide noise cancelling headphones which provide music to soothe the mind and body. Our patients can relax and feel at ease in our comfortable leather massage dental chairs which have adjustable temperature and massage settings to optimize comfort. Our staff is trained to work with people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder by allowing such patients to bring a comfort item into their visit such as stuffed animals, small blankets, etc…
We also work with those who struggle with light sensitivities by dimming the lights and lowering the shades in our office. Light dimming sunglasses are offered at each visit, or patients are welcome to bring their own devices to suit individual needs.
Sleep Dentistry
Sedation and anesthesia services are ideal for patients with special needs who are unable to sit through a traditional dental appointment. These visits make it possible to catch up on all necessary dental services in one convenient appointment. Dr. Ryan Allred is a dental anesthesiologist with much experience in sedating those with special needs. There are multiple options available to make the situation as smooth as possible.
Come and Visit
Acclimation to our team and office may require an introductory visit and tour of our clinic. By calling us beforehand, we can arrange a date and time for you and your loved one to visit our Caring Smiles Dental office in Progress Ridge, Beaverton before you set a complete comprehensive exam. We will prepare our office and staff for a inviting introduction and secure atmosphere.
When you arrive, our smiling staff will give you a tour of our modern, orderly, and inviting clinic. (Remember to let us know beforehand if lights should be dimmed and window shades lowered. First impressions and reactions are crucial for sensitivity success.) In our lobby, your loved one will find a storybook nook with a child’s favorite characters and toys. As our guests, you are welcome to help yourself to some refreshments while you become familiar with our lobby. When ready, you and your loved one will meet Dr. Ryan Allred. They will first accompany you to the consultation room to talk about any questions or concerns you may have about your loved one’s care. After question have been answered, a walk down the hallway to see our operatories and the equipment will ensue. We know that becoming familiar with one’s surroundings and seeing and touching the instruments that will be used to maintain one’s oral health is important. Identifying and interacting with unfamiliar objects in an inviting and organized environment will aid in reassurance of the safety and security of one’s dental visit. Feel free to spend the time you feel necessary in each area of our clinic to best acclimate you and your family.
Trust in Us
Most of all we understand the need for familiarity and consistency in our practice. By offering the patient the same care, in the same room, with the same dentist he/she will more readily let go of any walls of apprehension and fear and will be more likely to build a caring and trusting relationship with staff. By establishing a solid professional relationship with our special needs patients, through consistency, trust, gentleness, and most importantly T.L.C., both patient and our dental team will succeed.
Call Us Today!
503-430-5096
Below are a few tips that you can practice at home to aid a special needs child with familiarizing herself to procedures and actions commonly practiced at a dental visit.
- Have your child sit on a reclining chair or couch with her legs straight.
- Have her put her hands on her stomach.
- Put a bib or paper towel upon his chest.
- Say, “Aahhh.”
- Have her hold her mouth open for a certain amount of time.
- Count his teeth.
- Clean her teeth with a power brush.
- Practice biting down.
- Have him spit into the sink.
- Remember to have her smile!
