Dental Desensitization Visits

A Gentle Approach for Children with Sensory Challenges

As a pediatric dentist raised by a pediatric dentist, the world of pediatric dentistry is mapped as happy, relaxed, and pain-free. However, this profession is not just filled with laughter. More often, fear, anxiety, and traumatic experiences are the more common phrases we hear from parents when they describe previous appointments. Tears and screams are a part of pediatric dentists’ everyday routine. Some offices even have a sign saying, “Beware, kid bites.”

Pediatric dentists are trained to understand children’s behaviors and use various techniques to help them navigate dental appointments. Through different behavior guiding techniques and different verbage, we help create safe and successful experiences for our little ones. Most children who were seen by a pediatric dentist are able to graudually build trust and comfort and settle with the clinic which become their “dental home.” However, some children struggle to reach this level of comfort, even with specialized care.

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The Challenges for Children with Sensory Sensitivities

They are the children with sensory processing issues, often children with autism that encounter more challenges in the dental setting.

• The sounds of suction, drills, or cleaning tools may be distressing.

• The sensation of someone touching their face can be unbearable.

• Sitting back in a dental chair may trigger anxiety.

• Some children may not even be able to walk past the waiting room without distress.

Is there something we can do for these children? Is swaddling/papoosing them until they are too strong to be restraint and all professionals give up the only way to go?

Short answer is : There is something else we could try.

Introducing Dental Desensitization Visits

An alternative approach is dental desensitization visits. One of my patient’s father described it best: “It’s like a dental field trip.”

Unlike a traditional appointment focused on completing an exam, cleaning, and X-rays, desensitization visits prioritize exploration and comfort. The goal is to create a safe, familiar setting where the child feels relaxed, happy, and curious — not overwhelmed.

Other objectives are then gradually introduced, such as:

• Letting the provider touch their face.

• Approaching from different angles.

• Sitting in the dental chair.

• Getting used to the texture of gloves.

• Feeling comfortable with basic dental tools like a mirror or explorer (that long pointy stick that dentist use to check their teeth).

And eventually, completing a full routine dental checkup.

Maybe for some, receiving dental treatment in a routine clinical setting when they are fully aware or awake is still difficult after these visit. However, establishing the ability to recieve routine care is still very beneficial as a professional standpoint. It can help establish preventive care routines, improve cooperation with at-home oral hygiene, and allow us to catch cavities early — before pulling the tooth becomes the only option.

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Making Desensitization Visits More Accessible

Currently, dental desensitization visits are primarily available in university clinics and some occupational therapy life skills programs. However, we still have a long way to go in making this resource more widely available to the community.

• If you are a parent that are looking for this kind of resource, you can reach out to me for more information about dental desensitization appointments. You are also welcome to share with me other struggles that you have with oral care, accessing dental care, or any dental related questions that you always wanted to discuss with a dentist but didn’t have the opportunity to. I want to help you in the way you find it helpful.

• If you are a dental professional who wants to know more about how to implement some techniques in your office, I am also happy to share what we established in the University dental clinic.

• If you are other professionals that are working closely with these children and would like to connect, I would be thrilled to have a chance to participate in your journey to help pave a smoother path for these children.

Let’s work together to create a more inclusive, accessible, and positive dental experience for all children.