Special Needs Dentistry in Laredo, TX

At Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry in Laredo, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality pediatric dental care. We strive to provide treatments to any family that wants to work with our team, and we always want our patients to feel as comfortable and taken care of as possible. To learn more about the special needs accommodations that our office provides, please contact our friendly front office team, and we will be happy to assist you.

Are pediatric dentists qualified to care for kids with special needs?

Post-dental school, dentists must attend an additional two years of higher education to learn how to care for the specific needs of babies, children, and teenagers if they want to become certified pediatric dentists. It’s during this time that many pediatric dentists actually receive in-depth education on treating patients with special needs. In fact, some patients who require special accommodations at the dentist will actually continue seeing their pediatric dentist well into adulthood to receive the unique care that they need.

What should I do prior to my child’s first visit?

Before your child visits our office for the first time, we recommend contacting our friendly front office team in advance to provide more information about your child’s specific needs and the accommodations that they will need to have successful dental visits. If your child gets anxious or frustrated in new environments, you’re welcome to bring them into our office before their appointment to meet our team and take a quick tour of our office so that they will already be somewhat familiar with our practice and the friendly faces that they will be seeing at their first visit.

What if my child struggles to sit still?

Many children have trouble sitting still for a while, especially if they also experience dental anxiety. Our team has many ways of helping young patients relax and sit still in the dental chair, but we also understand that patients with special needs may need extra assistance. In cases where patients cannot sit still with their mouths open for extended periods of time, dental sedation is typically recommended. Some dental tools are sharp, so safe and effective dental sedation is sometimes necessary for both the safety of the patient and the dental team.