Caring for Special Needs Children
At our practice, we warmly welcome children with special needs, including those with Autism, Down Syndrome, sensory impairments (vision or hearing), and other developmental, medical, or behavioural conditions that may make standard
dental procedures more challenging.
Understanding Their Unique Needs
Children with special needs are nearly twice as likely to have untreated dental issues compared to their peers. We understand that maintaining good oral health can be more complex for these children—due to medical histories, behavioural sensitivities, or difficulty accessing care.
We also recognise that conditions such as enamel hypomineralisation (chalky teeth) are more common in children who have experienced health issues early in life.
Our Approach
The entire team at Kidz Teeth are dedicated to providing compassionate, individualised care for each child. We have extensive experience in managing and treating patients with a wide range of special needs, ensuring:
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A supportive, calm, and sensory-aware environment
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Flexible appointment times
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A gentle and understanding approach to build trust
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Modified treatment strategies tailored to your child’s unique requirements
With years of experience, we've helped many anxious children with special needs become more confident at the dentist. We're committed to making every visit a positive one for your child and your family.
Sensory Challenges
There are many potential sensory challenges at the dentist. Sounds, lights, tastes, smells and textures. Sharing your child’s sensitivities and coping strategies with staff will allow us to adapt to their preferences as much as possible.
We have a sensory box with items that your child may find useful to hold and self soothe or you can bring along their favourite toy.
If urgent or invasive treatment is required, it may be necessary for treatment to be carried out under a general anaesthesia. Once again, the Kidz Teeth team are here to help make the process as smooth as possible.
To help us understand your child’s individual needs, it would assist us if you could complete the following form prior to your visit Understanding Your Child.
Helpful tips
Every child is different, and we understand that some may need a little extra support to feel at ease. Here are some helpful tips to make your child’s visit more comfortable and positive:
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Pre-visit familiarisation: A short visit to our clinic before the appointment can help your child become comfortable with the environment and meet our friendly staff. Please contact our reception team to arrange a suitable time.
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Start small: Short, happy visits can gradually desensitise your child to the dental experience and build positive associations over time.
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Sibling modelling: Watching a brother or sister go first can be a helpful way for some children to feel more secure and better understand what to expect.
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Storytime prep: We have a selection of dental-themed storybooks available. These can help explain the process in a child-friendly way before their visit.
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Bring familiar tastes: If your child is sensitive to flavours, feel free to bring their usual toothpaste from home for us to use.
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Block out noise: For children who are sensitive to sound—especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder—listening to music with their own headphones can help reduce stress during the appointment.
