Dental Care for Kids with Tactile Defensiveness
Routines and Dentistry for Healthy Teeth and Special Needs Kids
Feb 18, 2009
Bedtime approaches, and many parents send their children off to brush their teeth with minimal resistance. It is part of the routine. Brushing and flossing their teeth is a familiar task. In families with a child with special needs, the routine may not be so established.
As reported in Children’s Hospitals Today (Fall 2005) by Lora F. Jarrell, tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. One would speculate that a child with special needs is at an even higher risk that his non-disabled siblings.
Consider Reasons Why the Child Resists Dental Care
Does the child have sensory defensiveness? Children on the autism spectrum are often hyper-sensitive to touch. Many are resistant to eating foods with a variety of texture. Using a toothbrush and toothpaste can be even more of an issue.
Is dental care part of the child’s daily routine? Establishing a routine with a child with special needs can be difficult, but not impossible. Once the routine is established, most children follow it without fail. Kids with mental impairment, autism, and ADHD love routine.
Does the child have communication difficulties that impact understanding? Consider how the child best understands (telling in small steps, pictures, sign language, checklists) and use that communication.
Is there a physical impairment that impacts dental care? Perhaps the child has a physical disability that requires the use of a special toothbrush. Consult a dentist or occupational therapist. In cases of malformation of the mouth a specialist may be needed for even routine checkups and preventative care.
Does a visual impairment make it difficult for the child to tell if the job is done right? Seek the help of the child’s teacher. Good dental hygiene does not have to go by the wayside because the child is blind or has low vision.
Create a Plan to Promote Dental Care
- Establish a routine that includes a specific time.
- Teach the expected behavior by example.
- Seek medical/educational advice for children with severe physical or sensory needs.
- Always provide supervision during routine dental care.
- Make professional dental care a part of the routine.
Consult the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions for a list of dental care professionals who specialize in treating children with special needs. Listings are available for Canada and the United States as well as a number of other countries. Quality dental care for a child with special needs is readily available with focus on at-home prevention and professional routine checkups and treatment.
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