Oral Care For Patients With Intellectual Disabilities
Many people with intellectual disabilities are put at risk when it comes to their oral health, as there tends to be a lack of communication with dentists, as well as a lack of understanding about the needs of that patient.
For many patients with intellectual disabilities in St. Louis, not being able to understand the importance of prioritization of oral care can lead to difficulties down the road. For parents or caregivers, trying to get someone to maintain a healthy daily routine or even cooperate with oral care can be incredibly painstaking.
Our son, Jimmy Henderson , has been having all of his dental care done by Dr. Michael Hoffmann and his team at the Dental Anesthesia Center for the past 15 years. He goes there once a year and they put him to sleep, clean his teeth, take x-rays and fix anything that needs to be repaired. They are such a blessing for us and our son. He couldn’t tolerate a regular dentist. We heartily recommend them for your dental care. Terry & Debbie Henderson
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. We are truly grateful for your trust and support over the years. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care in a safe and comfortable environment. Your recommendation means the world to us!
Outstanding customer car for our 15 yrs old Autistic Granddaughter. Rebekah really helped put our minds and ease and helped us plan the next visit when it came to reservations we had on the cost of this treatment, and future ones. This is expensive, but worth it knowing they help special needs kids, teens and adults. Sedation dentistry team handle everything great! Thank you Dr. Thoms and the team!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re so glad our team could provide a supportive and reassuring experience while helping you plan for future care. It means a great deal to know you felt informed and cared for every step of the way. We truly appreciate your kind words and the trust you’ve placed in us.
Dr Thoms specializes in dental anesthesia for patients with Special Needs. My daughter has been a patient of his for many years. His experience, depth of knowledge and understanding the needs of Special Needs patients is excellent. He presents clear and detailed information for his procedures and treatment options along with expectations during aftercare. Follow up instructions include a personal phone call from him as well as additional calls from his office staff. I highly recommend Dr Thoms and definitely give him 5 stars.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re grateful for the trust families place in our team and are committed to providing thoughtful, individualized care with clear communication every step of the way. Your recommendation means a great deal to us!
My hygienist, DeLaina Joost, takes excellent care of my teeth with her advanced skills, gentle touch and great “chair side” manner. She is a consummate professional, and such a compassionate person. I look forward to my visits at DAC!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
I want to thank everyone at the Dental Anesthesia Center for taking care of me yesterday—Meaghan helped me get the forms filled out correctly and in on time, Daisy for guiding me in and getting me out safely, Dr. Hoffman for taking care of my teeth and dealing with my really terrible gag reflex, and EVERYONE who helps make this happen. I don't know all of your names, but I do know that it takes all of you working together to make my dental care possible and have good results.
I'm always nervous when I first arrive, even though every procedure has had a good outcome. I've never had any pain or excessive bleeding as a result. The one thing I realized yesterday is that all of you are warm, friendly, positive, you have what is called a good vibe, which helps me a great deal.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so glad our team could help you feel comfortable and supported throughout your visit. Providing a safe, positive environment is very important to us, and your feedback means a great deal. We truly appreciate your trust in our care!
People with special needs and intellectual disabilities tend to become much more anxious when they know that they need to go to the dentist. For many patients, it can be as simple as knowing how to provide the correct reassurance to get them here safely and willingly.
Of course, some have more severe disabilities or medical problems, and many of those people require a bit of extra care or precaution.
Providing Better Oral Care For People With Intellectual Disabilities
Though it is a dentist’s job to provide the
ultimate form of oral care, the path to a healthy mouth starts at home. As a
parent or caregiver of someone with intellectual disabilities, there are
several things that you can do to jumpstart that path.
As a parent or caregiver, you probably understand that people with intellectual learning disabilities often have a hard time expressing pain or discomfort in a way we understand. As a parent or caregiver to an individual, you must be aware of those changes in behavior that indicate illness, pain, or discomfort and be willing to share them with your dental provider.
Depending on their needs, some patients may need to be seen at specific times of the day. For patients who tend to tire or have strong anxiety, appointments in the evening may not be the best choice. Many patients with intellectual disabilities rely heavily on routines, and those who are planning on having regular appointments may need them all to be at the same time.
In many cases, people with intellectual
disabilities have trouble getting proper oral health care when compared to the
rest of the population. Because they don’t see the dentist as often, these oral
health problems can begin to affect their overall health and wellness.
This is why it is so important for caregivers to prioritize oral health and learn how to adapt and create good routines for it so that bigger problems can be avoided down the road.
Making Your Appointment
When treating patients with intellectual disabilities in St. Louis, MO, the Dental Anesthesia Center is one of the top facilities. We use cutting-edge technology alongside sleep and sedation dentistry in many cases. Our team of dentists is well-trained and equipped to handle any patient, especially those with intellectual disabilities.
Putting off oral care due to the fear or anxiety of visiting the dentist will only be detrimental to that individual. Having a healthy mouth is vital to an individual’s well-being, and having routine checkups is important for maintaining that.
Call us at (314) 862-7844 to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to meeting you!
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
