Dental Resources

Dental resources

A couple weeks ago my oldest son had his first experience with getting a tooth drilled. It wasn't due to decay, but an innate defect -- a new permanent tooth came in with a groove that could easily result in the kind of cavity requiring a root canal.

It went great! Why?

1. A good dentist: She explained the procedure clearly and always let him know what to expect (for example drilling to the count of 1 to start with, then working up to the count of 3, never longer than that).

2. Lead apron: We asked for a lead apron that he had draped on him for calming, proprioceptive input. Sunglasses for the bright lights probably would have been smart too, but he didn't want me to bring them.

3. Preparation: We talked about everything the night before, and I felt that of all my kid-friendly resources, this one was the best:

http://www.hiyah.net/dentist/goingtothedentist1/shell.swf - powerpoint slideshow that you can flip through (click anywhere on the screen). The first part covers brushing and later it covers visits to the dentist (cleaning and examining). Lots of kid-friendly pictures to familiarize the kids with the tools and procedures.

I added a few more articles today, but most notably I added a section about finding a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists are prepared to care for special children. In fact, their education as specialists focuses on care for children with special needs.

Here's the search link, but you can of course also find the link on the longer list above:

http://www.aapd.org/finddentist/

Here's a link to a product review of the "Healthy Smile" CD-ROM mentioned as a social story video excerpt above.

http://autism.about.com/od/autismmultimedia/gr/healthysmile. htm?nl=1

It was a stunning success. Heidi has been asking to go back for more tickles. :D That makes us all very happy.

My eldest son was at the dentist today and got sealants on his back molars. I discovered that he didn't know how to spit appropriately. He used too much force and got water droplets on the floor, etc. -- even though I told him to spit gently.

Just a tip to practice spitting. That little dentist sink doesn't work quite like the big bathroom sink.

I made up this social story about my daughters first trip to the dentist -

http://leechbabe.wordpress.com/2008/08/17/dentist-social-sto ry/

The link has a text version of the story and a .pdf with the story and pictures.

Great illustrated social story, leechbabe. I added it to my list above. How did the trip to the dentist go, btw?

Here's my list of dental health resources. If a link is broken, it's probably because the forum's server added a blank space in the address.

Find a Pediatric Dentist:

Q: Are pediatric dentists prepared to care for special children?

A: Absolutely. Pediatric dentists have two or more years of advanced training beyond dental school. Their education as specialists focuses on care for children with special needs. In addition, pediatric dental offices are designed to be physically accessible for special patients. Pediatric dentists, because of their expertise, are often the clinicians of choice for the dental care of adults with special needs as well.

You can search for a pediatric dentist near you at this website:

http://www.aapd.org/finddentist/

If you can't afford dental care for your child, the The National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped may be able to help (www.nfdh.org). For a short description of their services and a direct link to your state's contact information, see separate post on page 2 of this topic.

Ask a dental question:

http://www.agd.org/public/ask/ - The Academy of General Dentistry's SmileLine Online forum lets consumers post their dental health questions online – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – for free! An AGD member dentist will respond within three days.

Articles:

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1064&a=7844 - article from the National Autistic Society

http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/sss/autism/autism_aug03app.p df - task analysis of teeth brushing.

http://www.sinetwork.org/aboutspd/dentist.html - Tips on taking your sensory-defensive child to the dentist.

http://specialchildren.about.com/od/specialsituations/bb/den tist.htm - "Before you go to the dentist with your child."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=artQFqd6osQ - video of how to gradually familiarize a child with the dental office environment and procedures, called "D-Termined Dental Program of Repetitive Tasking and Familiarization in Dentistry"

http://www.brighttots.com/Oral_care_autism_2307.html - article "Oral Care and Autism", including a section on anesthesia.

http://www.ada.org/public/topics/special_needs.asp - "Tips for people who have special needs". by the American Dental Association.

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Websi te/English/Initiatives/Healthy_Athletes/Special_Smiles/defau lt.htm - The Special Olympics' Special Smiles program.

http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/content/specialca re.html - "Dental Care for Special Child" short FAQ from the American

http://www.aapd.org/dentalhome/pdf/dentalhome.pdf - "Expect the Best for your child's dental home", from Exceptional Parents magazine. A "dental home" is a dental office that provides the long-term relationship, frame of mind, and peace of mind that is needed to meet your child's dental needs.

http://www.autismtoday.com/articles/DentalDilemma.htm - "Dental Dilemma" by Maureen Bennie.

http://209.169.7.42/library/dentist.html - "Going to the Dentist" from a sensory processing disorder standpoint.

http://www.enzymestuff.com/conditionsensory.htm#4 - "Ideas for going to the dentist" written by a mother.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_losing-baby-teeth-what-to-expect -and-when_3658971.bc?scid=mbtw_post7y_2m_2w:30&pe=378TEZ - "Losing baby teeth: what to expect and when" (not autism-related).

Anesthesia:

http://www.autismwebsite.com/ARI/info/dental.htm - "Dental Anesthesia for the Autistic Child"

http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari/info/kirz.htm - Letter to anesthesiologists, written by an anesthesiologist who herself has 2 children with autism. Might be useful if the dental care requires anesthesia.

http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/autism-and-dental-an esthesia.html - autism and dental anesthesia.

http://www.brighttots.com/Oral_care_autism_2307.html - article "Oral Care and Autism", including a section on anesthesia.

Brochures for Health Care Professionals:

http://www.nslij.com/workfiles/autism/YourNextPatient.pdf - "Your Next Patient Has Autism"

Kid Stuff:

http://www.ada.org/public/games/index.asp - Kid stuff from the ADA.

http://www.mouthpower.org/mouthpower.cfm - more kid stuff

http://www.oopkids.com/health_smiles.html - Ounce of Prevention for Kids website

Free online videos and slideshows:

www.colgate.com's "Cool Moves" -- kid-friendly videos of how to brush and floss. Could be used like a video social story. They also had a poster for keeping track of when the child brushed.

http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/stories/switchit_series_clean_y our_teeth.html# - video without words, showing a cartoon girl who has bad breath and brushes her teeth. Includes a printable visual checklist for brushing.

http://www.fraser.org/products/CDs.html - sample video from My Healthy Smile. It's about the hygienist cleaning teeth, but includes lots of basics that are applicable to a dentist visit in general.

http://dentistry.about.com/od/childrensdentistry/ig/Dentist- Appointment-Photos/index.htm - photo gallery of dentist pictures, with captions rather than social story text. Covers cleaning and examining.

http://www.seemoresplayhouse.com/play/quizdentalhealth.html - Seemore the Seal from PBS, in a little cartoon encouraging brushing twice a day.

http://www.autismspot.com/videos/Tips-Success-Dentist-Part1- NEW - Success at the dentist part 1

http://www.autismspot.com/videos/Tips-Success-Dentist-Part2- NEW - Success at the dentist part 2

http://www.autismspot.com/videos/Dentist-Preparation - Dentist preparation. A boy with autism talks about his experience, then his ABA therapist (her part starts at about the 4 minute point).

Social stories and visual support:

Social story about loose teeth - see separate post below

http://leechbabe.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/dentist-social- story.pdf - social story about going to the dentist, with PEC-like illustrations (from our member leechbabe).

http://www.arc-bc.org/pictureset/resources/dental_vocabulary /dental_vocabulary.pdf - PECS with dental vocabulary

http://www.integratedtreatments.co.uk/cm_sitedata/resources/ 47/social_story_-__dentist.doc?a=rh . - going to the dentist, no illustrations.

http://www.kansasasd.com/KSASD/Social_Narratives_(Social_Sto ries™__&__Power_Card)_Bank_files/Toothbrushing%20in%20 Pi ctures.pdf - teethbrushing visual checklist

http://www.educ.ttu.edu/EDSP/burkhartproject/ModuleThree/Dif ferent_Approaches/Social_Stories.htm - about teeth brushing

http://www.curearchives.com/Advice-needed.t3060-8.html - brushing teeth

http://www.frsd.k12.nj.us/autistic/Social%20Stories/Pages/br ushing_my_teeth.htm - brushing teeth

http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/ss0005.html - brushing teeth

http://www.slatersoftware.com/BrushingTeethSocialStory.pdf - brushing teeth, with PECS symbols.

http://www.ada.org/public/games/marty.asp - Visit the dentist with Marty, an interactive story. Includes a line about using a mouthguard when playing sports.

http://ms-flossy.tripod.com/ - dental-related clip art to use when writing your own social story.

http://www.jambav.com/modules/makale/makale.php?id=6 - dentist

To access the jambav story, go to the above webpage and click on "Ready for our stories?" at the bottom of the page.

You should then see an image of 3 bookshelves. Click on the title you want, and its image will show up on the bottom shelf. Click on that image to start the story.

You can get back to the bookshelves at any time by clicking on the menu tab, and then choosing "Select."

Books you might find at your library:

"Andrew's Loose Tooth" by Robert Munsch - a book about loose teeth highly recommended by Donny's Mom.

"Norman Fools the Tooth Fairy" by Carol Carrick and Lisa McCue - a book about loose teeth highly recommended by LeAnne C

"Arthur's Tooth" by Marc Brown (PBS cartoon character)

"Arthur's Loose Tooth" by Lillian Hoban (not the PBS cartoon character).

"The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist" by Stan and Jan Berenstain - about a loose tooth and a trip to the dentist. I liked it.

DK Readers "A Trip to the Dentist" by Penny Smith. I haven't read this book myself, but noticed it on Amazon for only $3.99 regular price.

Products

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-75751-Omniigel+Dent.aspx?dru gid=75751&drugname=Omniigel+Dent - my sister gets this Omniigel toothpaste from her child's dentist because her son doesn't like ANY brand of toothpaste available at stores. It has no foam and a mild taste. Generally for ages 6 and up, so you'll have to discuss the safety of the product on a younger child (the dentist said it was okay for my sister's 3 year old). It made a huge difference on my sister's son's teeth, compared to just brushing with water.

***

There are more tips under various topics on our forum, including the following:

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18875&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p; amp; amp;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;KW=dentist&PN=0&TPN=1

Any resources to add?

NorwayMom40124.1533912037

Here's a social story about loose teeth. I lost the link:

I am Molly. I am almost 6. I am getting bigger! When people get bigger, some things change.

I get taller. I gain weight, and sometimes, I lose a tooth!

Its okay to lose a tooth. It feels funny, but once it falls out, a newer, bigger one will grow in, and I will have it until Im as old as mommy and daddy!

Its okay to wiggle and touch the loose tooth with my tongue. If I wash my hands, I can touch it with my finger to see if its ready to come out!

When it comes out, I put it in a safe place, like a cup or a tissue, then I show mom and dad!

I can draw a picture of me with my new smile!

Kristina Chew's blog on her son's dental visits over the years.

http://www.kristinachew.com/Site/vox/Entries/2009/9/2_37._A_ Minor_Epic__Going_to_the_Dentist.html
Has your child lost a tooth but the new one is taking a long time to come in? Read about the situation here.

http://www.babycenter.com/404_my-child-lost-a-baby-tooth-a-y ear-ago-and-her-permanent-toot_3659080.bc?scid=mbtw_post8y_1 m:356&pe=378TEZ

Unfortunately I found this link a couple days too late. Maybe it will help someone next year.

"Each year on the first Friday in February, thousands of the nation's dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country." From the site, you can find a dental organization in your area to contact for more information.

http://www.givekidsasmile.ada.org/findGKAS.asp

My Norwegian forum tipped me on a gel that can be used to numb the area before giving a novacaine injection. You can get it in various fruit flavors. For max effect, it's important to give it time to work, and to give the novacaine shot slowly.

Here's a link to the product, which is also available in American and Canada and who knows where else.

http://www.dentalcompare.com/details/5965/Topicale.html

If your child is likely to be afraid of getting a shot of novocaine (that needle does look pretty scary!), you might want to find a dentist that uses "The Wand", which looks more like a pen.

Here's more info on The Wand and how to find a dentist that uses it.

http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/wand.html

More on losing baby teeth here (not autism specific)

http://www.babycenter.com/0_losing-baby-teeth-what-to-expect -and-when_3658971.bc?scid=mbtw_post8y_2m_2w:401&pe=378TE Z

Toothpaste in ice cream flavors.

http://www.tannerstastypaste.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp? idCategory=15

"The National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (NFDH); a charitable affiliate of the American Dental Association; is committed, through collaboration, to arranging comprehensive dental treatment and long-term preventive services to needy disabled, elderly or medically compromised individuals through a national network of direct service programs that involve more than 12,900 volunteer dentists and 2,700 volunteer laboratories."

NFDH offers three direct-service programs:

1) Donated Dental Services (DDS)

Volunteer dentists treat DDS patients in their own offices where they can work more efficiently with their own equipment, supplies, and staff.

In each state at least one program coordinator is responsible for determining that applicants are either disabled, elderly or medically compromised and have no other way for paying for dental care.

Click here to find the contact person in your state:

http://nfdh.org/joomla_nfdh/content/view/24/47/

2) Bridge/Campaign of Concern (At the present time this only is available in Colorado and New Jersey).

Bridge is a dental outreach program that spans the gap for developmentally disabled individuals by bringing hygienists into schools, vocational centers and group homes. Bridge helps minimize the incidence and severity of dental diseases by offering preventive education services to people with poor oral hygiene. Information from screenings is used to prioritize referrals for treatment and guide staff in providing oral health instruction.

3) HouseCalls (Presently only in Denver, Chicago and New Jersey)

The Dental HouseCalls program was established to bring care to people who cannot easily travel to dentists’ offices: residents of nursing homes, homebound individuals and developmentally disabled people attending day programs or living in residential centers. A fully equipped, portable dental office is transported in a van and set-up at bedside or in the facilities so dentists can serve these individuals.

Bridge/Campaign of Concern

HouseCalls

In each state at least one program coordinator is responsible for determining that applicants are either disabled, elderly or medically compromised and have no other way for paying for dental care.

Main website: http://nfdh.org

What the heck, I'll bump this one today. I popped in to add a link to an article on losing baby teeth.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_losing-baby-teeth-what-to-expect -and-when_3658971.bc?scid=mbtw_post7y_2m_2w:30&pe=378TEZ

Blog about the question of using restraint at the dentist.

http://www.bothhandsandaflashlight.com/2010/08/05/autism-mee ts-the-dentist-to-restrain-or-not-restrain/