At Smiles, special health care needs dentistry goes beyond excellent clinical expertise. It revolves around cultivating a sense of deep safety, building bonds of trust and fostering empathy, compassion and kindness. As an inclusive pediatric dental home, our goal is to make every visit a positive and empowering step towards optimal oral health. By collaborating closely with parents and support groups, and offering mindful, adaptive care accommodations, dental experiences can be softened and tailored to each of our special friends’ needs.
Special Health Care Needs Dentistry ·
Special Health Care Needs Dentistry ·
Special Health Care Needs Dentistry ·
Special Health Care Needs Dentistry ·
Special Health Care Needs Dentistry ·
Special Health Care Needs Dentistry defined:
Special needs dentistry, also known as Special Health Care Needs Dentistry, focuses on providing comprehensive dental care to individuals who require additional accommodations and special attention due to physical, developmental, behavioral, or medical conditions. This group includes children, adolescents and adults who are under the care of a caregiver.
Special care for special smiles:
We believe that open hearts lead to open conversations. Understanding the specifics of your child’s needs before their visit will help you and our team plan for a smooth interaction. A pre-appointment phone call will allow us better understanding of what preparations are helpful in creating a welcoming environment for your child. We invite you to bring any supportive toys or devices that your child enjoys, including their favorite toothbrush and familiar toothpaste.
Special services for special families:
It all starts with a tailored plan that fits your child’s specific needs. Individual plans are built with mindful consideration of your family’s lifestyle and routines. Many of our special friends benefit from more frequent visits to promote a bond of trust and familiarity with the dental experience. Oral hygiene education and facilitation are a major part of these visits. Cleanings and images can be comfortably introduced with a parent’s assistance. Preventative services such as fluoride and silver diamine fluoride remineralizing therapies are also achievable. Gentle restorative procedures can be completed with our Solea Laser unit and sedation options are available for more involved care.
Sedation Suite:
Special health care needs include physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive or emotional conditions that require specialized approaches to ensure comfort and well-being. Part of these approaches is facilitating necessary care with safe and effective sedation options. Ranging from minimal sedation with nitrous oxide to oral sedation and deep sedation or general anesthesia, our sedation solutions ensure that excellent dental care is paired with a gentle and compassionate approach.
The role of parents and caregivers:
Dental health care for children with special needs requires specialized knowledge as well as awareness and attention, adaptation and accommodative measures beyond what are considered routine. A supportive team is essential when caring for a child with special health care needs. Please consider us your partners when it comes to your child’s oral and dental wellness. We are happy to collaborate with other providers that help care for your child such as caregivers, healthcare professionals and of course, with you.
The Circle of Special Health Care Needs:
The Smiles approach to Special Needs Dentistry:
Hover or tap to reveal steps
1
Enhanced Communication: We engage parents and caregivers in discussions to gain insights on each child’s uniqueness. Using simple language, visual aids, or augmentative communication devices can help kids with special needs interact with our team.
2
Behavioral Encouragement Techniques: Introduction and desensitization visits to build trust, familiarize kids with our dental home and foster positive reinforcement and cooperation.
3
Adapted Office Environment: Our office is a street level, free standing building with available parking and a wheelchair ramp. Our space was entirely renovated according to the American Act of Disability (ADA) guidelines.
4
Sensory-friendly options, quite rooms and colored or dim lighting is readily available.
5
Specialized Training: Board-Certifed pediatric dental care in a State-of-the-art facility.
6
Collaboration with Other Professionals: We collaborate closely with physicians, therapists, and social workers to provide comprehensive care.
1
Enhanced Communication: We engage parents and caregivers in discussions to gain insights on each child’s uniqueness. Using simple language, visual aids, or augmentative communication devices can help kids with special needs interact with our team.
2
Behavioral Encouragement Techniques: Introduction and desensitization visits to build trust, familiarize kids with our dental home and foster positive reinforcement and cooperation.
3
Adapted Office Environment: Our office is a street level, free standing building with available parking and a wheelchair ramp. Our space was entirely renovated according to the American Act of Disability (ADA) guidelines.
4
Sensory-friendly options, quite rooms and colored or dim lighting is readily available.
5
Specialized Training: Board-Certifed pediatric dental care in a State-of-the-art facility.
6
Collaboration with Other Professionals: We collaborate closely with physicians, therapists, and social workers to provide comprehensive care.
FAQs for Special Health Care Needs Dentistry:
What should I expect for my special needs child’s dental visit?
Allow us to preplan the visit together through a phone call. This way we can all be well prepared to care for your child with trust and comfort. Please share with us your best strategies to help your child relax. Bring along any emotional support objects that your child enjoys. Using our gentle behavioral techniques, we will softly explain and demonstrate how we complete a dental exam and what a dental cleaning is like. The visit moves in small steps and is segmented to allow your child periods of rest and recuperation as they steadily move forward in continued strides.
What adaptive care techniques are available?
With a goal of achieving comfort, we are happy to tailor visits to what best suits your child. The dental environment is full of sensory stimuli. If light, noise levels or textures need to be adjusted, we will plan on doing so. The time of day that your child comes in is also an important factor. Please let us know about your child’s sleep and nap pattern so that we can pair them with a time that ensures freshness and cooperation.
How can I prepare my special needs child for their dental visit?
Healthy oral habits certainly lead to dental well-being but they also help familiarize your child with routine oral care. When you are consistent with brushing your child’s teeth, you will help them to feel relaxed and safe when we complete an oral exam and cleaning. Please bring along any emotional support toys that your child enjoys. Reading books about going to the dentist and sharing our office videos will be helpful in preparing your child for an excellent experience.
Did you know plaque begins forming on teeth just hours after brushing? 🦷✨
Even after a great brushing routine, bacteria begin attaching to tooth surfaces again surprisingly quickly. Within only a few hours, a thin film called plaque starts forming across teeth.
Plaque contains bacteria that feed on sugars from food and drinks 🍭. As those bacteria break down sugars, they release acids that slowly weaken tooth enamel. Over time, repeated acid exposure can lead to cavities.
Brushing twice daily removes plaque before it has time to cause damage. Flossing also plays an important role because it removes plaque between teeth where toothbrush bristles cannot reach 🪥.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, prevention and education are key parts of helping children maintain strong healthy smiles 🌟.
What surprised you most about plaque forming so quickly? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below! 💬
If you would like guidance on your child’s brushing routine, our team would love to help. Contact our office to schedule a visit 📞.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Gentle care for growing smiles 💙
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics
#kidsdentist
#PediatricDentist
#PediatricOrthodontist
#WestLosAngeles
#ChildrensDentistry
#HealthyKidsSmiles
#PreventiveDentistry
#LosAngelesDentist
✨🦷 Our Founder, Dr. Reem Kabbarah, Shares a Teen Smile Transformation Designed with Care
In today’s evolving world of teen-friendly dentistry, creating a beautiful smile no longer means removing healthy tooth structure. In this blog, our founder Dr. Reem Kabbarah shares how no-prep 3D printed resin veneers offer a conservative and thoughtful way to enhance a teen’s smile while preserving natural teeth. 💫
Mariana has been part of the Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics family since she was a baby. Over time, she shared a simple wish — fuller teeth and a brighter smile. As her smile developed and orthodontic treatment improved alignment, the opportunity came to revisit her goals in a personalized and meaningful way. 🌸😊
With a biology-first approach, careful evaluation of gum architecture and digital smile design allowed for precise planning before treatment began. Through a collaborative process, Mariana was able to preview her future smile and choose what felt most natural to her. ✨🦷
Using no-prep 3D printed resin veneers, her smile was enhanced without removing natural tooth structure. The result feels soft, balanced, and completely her own — a confident smile that preserves long-term dental health. 💛🌿
📖 Read Dr. Reem’s patient story and approach below:
https://smilesla.com/pediatric-dentistry-orthodontics/teen-3d-no-prep-printed-resin-veneers
💬 What matters most to you when it comes to your child’s smile — natural look, comfort, or preserving healthy teeth? Share your thoughts below!
📲 Interested in enhancing your child or teen’s smile while preserving their natural teeth? Contact our office to learn more.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care. Thoughtful design. Confident growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #TeenCosmeticDentistry #NoPrepVeneers #3DPrintedDentistry #LosAngelesPediatricDentist
@solea
@sprintray
@exocadofficial
@dexisimaging
@dr.reem_kabbarah
@cadcamspecialist
🦷🧵 The first dental floss was real silk — fit for elite smiles.
Dentist Levi Spear Parmly The Father of Preventive Dentistry introduced silk thread floss in 1815 to clean tight spaces between teeth. By the 1940s, nylon replaced silk, making floss durable and affordable. That tiny thread still protects forty percent of every tooth surface a brush cannot reach. ✨🪥🦷
Flossing plays an essential role in keeping smiles healthy. Even the best toothbrush cannot clean every surface of the teeth, especially the narrow areas between them where plaque often gathers. Using floss each day helps remove food particles and bacteria from those hidden spaces while supporting healthier gums and stronger enamel. 😊🌿
💬 Do your kids floss daily or are you working on building that habit at home? Share your tips for making flossing fun for children below!
📲 Have questions about your child’s brushing and flossing routine? Our team is happy to help guide healthy habits for growing smiles.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #DentalFloss #HealthyKidsSmiles #KidsDentalHealth #OralHealthHabits #history
🦷🦠 Kids can pass cavity-causing bacteria just by sharing a spoon or straw!
The cavity-forming bacterium Streptococcus mutans spreads through saliva. When children share utensils, cups, pacifiers, or straws, microbes can easily move from one mouth to another. 🔬🥄 Even though these moments seem harmless, bacteria can settle on teeth and begin the process that leads to cavities.
Encouraging children not to share eating tools helps reduce the spread of decay-causing bacteria. Simple habits like using their own utensils, cups, and straws help protect enamel and support healthier smiles as kids grow. 🪥✨ Teaching these small daily practices early helps keep smiles strong and protected from unseen invaders. 😊
💬 Did you know cavity-causing bacteria can spread this way? What healthy habits do you teach your kids to protect their smiles? Share below! 👇
📲 Have questions about cavity prevention or your child’s oral health? Contact our office.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics | Phone: (310) 837-6453 | Email: info@smilesla.com
| Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #CavityPrevention #KidsDentalHealth #HealthyKidsSmiles #OralHealthForKids
🦷🍃 Did you know there’s a gum that can actually help teeth?
Not all gum is created equal. Sugar-free gums made with xylitol or calcium phosphate do more than freshen breath — they help enamel heal by reducing the presence of cavity-causing bacteria. These special gums boost saliva flow, neutralize acids, and help make minerals that rebuild weak spots be bioavailable. Chewing these gums after meals for 5 minutes is a great way to benefit. ✨🪥💧🦷
Saliva plays an important role in protecting teeth. Increased saliva flow helps wash away food particles while supporting a healthier balance in the mouth. For many children and adults, chewing sugar-free gum after meals can be a helpful addition to daily oral care habits when brushing right away is not possible. 🌱😊
💬 Have you or your child tried xylitol gum before? Do you keep sugar-free gum handy after meals? Share your thoughts below!
📲 Have questions about protecting your child’s enamel or preventing cavities? Our team is here to help guide every growing smile.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #Xylitol #CavityPrevention #HealthyKidsSmiles #KidsDentalHealth
🦷🤯 Did you know some kids’ teeth actually develop fused together?
Sometimes during early development, two growing teeth join together and form one larger tooth structure. This rare condition, called fusion, creates a visible line where both teeth developed together. On dental images and during exams, dentists can see this connection and determine how it may affect surrounding teeth. 🔬🦷✨
Because the fusion line often has an irregular shape, it can be harder for children to clean thoroughly. That small groove may trap plaque and food particles more easily than typical tooth surfaces. Early dental care helps monitor these areas, support proper hygiene habits, and guide eruption of nearby teeth as a child’s smile continues developing. 🌱😁
With careful monitoring and preventive care, most children with fused teeth grow up with healthy, balanced smiles. Pediatric dental visits allow families to understand what is happening and ensure every tooth develops comfortably and safely. 💛🪥
💬 Have you ever heard of fused teeth before? Or has your child had a unique dental development? Share your questions or experiences below — we love helping families learn about growing smiles! 👇😊
📲 Have questions about your child’s dental development? Contact our office for a gentle evaluation and guidance.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #FusedTeeth #KidsDentalHealth #GrowingSmiles #PediatricDentalCare
🦷🔬 Science has found the health of your mouth predicts the health of your entire body.
The mouth tells the story of the whole body’s well-being. More than 700 kinds of bacteria live in the mouth, some protect, some create imbalance. When gums are healthy, the entire body flourishes and organs are happy. Heart, brain, and immune system thrive in harmony in the absence of inflammation. This is the knowledge that helps our kids understand the importance of their oral health. ❤️🧠✨🪥🌱
💬 Did you know oral health connects so closely with the rest of the body? What habits help keep your child’s smile healthy every day? Share below! 😊
📲 Have questions about protecting your child’s oral health? Our team is here to help support every growing smile.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #OralHealth #HealthyKidsSmiles #KidsDentalHealth #WholeBodyHealth
🦷✨ Why do baby teeth fall out on their own?
It may look simple when a child wiggles a loose tooth, yet something fascinating happens beneath gums long before that moment. As adult teeth begin forming under baby teeth, specialized cells gradually dissolve baby-tooth roots. On dental images (x-rays) this process can look almost magical, as if roots slowly melt away. 🔬🦷
Nature follows a precise timeline. As roots dissolve, baby teeth loosen and gently fall out, making space for adult teeth ready to emerge. This natural transition helps guide proper alignment while dental arches continue developing throughout childhood. 🌱😊 When everything progresses in harmony, each new tooth arrives exactly where it belongs in a growing smile.
💬 Did your child get excited when their first tooth became wiggly? Or were they nervous about it falling out? Share your favorite tooth-fairy moment with us below! 🧚♀️💫
📲 Have questions about loose teeth, eruption timing, or your child’s smile development? Our team is happy to help guide you through every stage of growing smiles.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for happy, growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #BabyTeeth #ToothDevelopment #GrowingSmiles #KidsOralHealth
