April is National Autism Awareness Month and during it, we celebrate our patients with auditory disorders, their triumphs, personalities, and the joy they bring to us when visiting one of our offices.
Bringing a child with an auditory disorder to the dentist can be a daunting task, especially because many auditory disorders are associated with sensitivity to loud noises and anxiety. One of the reasons why we bring Sugar to visit our various locations is because she can ease stress and provide a fun distraction to a checkup or a procedure.
Autism Speaks shares a very resourceful toolkit for parents whose children have auditory disorders and ways to improve dental visits here. The toolkit shares how to help families and caregivers find the right dentist, teaches families and caregivers how to effectively prepare for a visit to the dentist, ways to decrease anxiety about going to the dentist, and provides information for families to help begin a lifetime of good oral care. It also includes forms to use for your visit, a visual schedule to help the child understand the steps involved in a routine dentist appointment, and information about oral care at home.
Having autism does not mean a child’s teeth and other facial features will be different. However, children with autism may be more likely to develop oral health problems depending on their auditory condition. If you have a child with an auditory disorder and need assistance with pediatric dental care, we have a vast amount of experience in this area. Please do not hesitate to contact us or schedule an appointment or consultation to learn more.
Pediatric Dental Associates of Alabama is led by top-rated pediatric dentists with locations in Birmingham, Cullman, Medplex-Hoover, Oxford and Pell City. Our vision is to be the premier provider of pediatric dental services in Alabama. Beautiful smiles are our specialty!