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.
Why does my child’s breath smell bad even after brushing? 🦷👃❓ Noticing your child’s breath still smells off after brushing? Swipe ➡️ to discover some surprising reasons! ✨🌿
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in West Los Angeles, we know how important fresh breath is for your child’s confidence and comfort. Our compassionate team gently uncovers causes like tooth decay, gum health, or other factors—and offers caring solutions tailored just for your family. 💛😊
Have questions or stories to share? 🗣️ Drop a comment or send us a message — we love connecting with families and supporting every smile. 🌟
💬 We’re here with kind, expert answers whenever you need.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
📞 (310) 837-6453
✉️ info@smilesla.com
Brightening smiles with warmth and care! 💛🦷✨
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #pediatricorthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentistWestLosAngeles #PediatricOrthodontistWestLosAngeles #FreshBreath #HealthySmiles #FamilyDentistry #WestLA"
🏅 The Winning Smile: How Young Athletes Can Protect Their Oral Health 🦷
Every time a child runs onto the field, their smile goes with them 🏈⚽🏒 At Smiles, we believe keeping that smile safe is just as important as the game itself.
We’re proud to share a brand-new blog written by our very own Dr. Reem, Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and mom of a young soccer athlete🦷💙 In it, she explores why sports dentistry matters, the role of custom mouthguards, and how parents and coaches can protect young athletes both on and off the field.
Parents and coaches, what’s your experience with mouthguards? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below .
Share , smile and follow us ⬇️
📖 Read Dr. Reem’s full blog here: The Winning Smile: Fostering Oral Health In Young Athletes
👉 https://smilesla.com/pediatric-dentistry-orthodontics/sports-dentistry-pediatric-oral-health-in-young-athletes
📞 (310) 837-6453
📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064
Gentle care. Lasting smiles 💙
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #sportsdentistry #mouthguards
😬 Parents, what should you do if your child chips a tooth?
It’s a question many parents ask, and knowing the right steps can make all the difference in protecting your child’s smile.
👉 Swipe to the next slide to learn what to do right away.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in West LA, we’re here for life’s unexpected dental moments from baby teeth to braces and beyond.
📧 info@smilesla.com | 📞 (310) 837-6453
🌐 smilesla.com
#SmilesPediatricDentistryAndOrthodontics #WestLAPediatricDentist #LosAngelesParents #KidsDentalCare #EmergencyDentist #HealthySmiles #PediatricDentistry #ProtectYoungSmiles
🪥 Flossing battles at bedtime? You’re not alone — and the solution might be simpler than you think!
Helping kids floss can feel like an uphill battle, especially when they’re tired or restless. At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’ve found that changing the how and when can turn stress into smiles. Try leaning your child back in bed, using thicker floss for comfort, and turning it into a fun moment with songs, cheers, or a small reward. When flossing is cozy, predictable, and playful, kids are more likely to cooperate — and that means healthier smiles now and in the future. ✨
What’s your favorite trick for making flossing easier with your little one? Share your story — it could help another parent! 💛
📞 (310) 837-6453
📧 info@smilesla.com
Bright Smiles Begin Here — Caring for Kids, One Tooth at a Time
#SmilesPediatricDentistryAndOrthodontics #PediatricDentistWestLA #Flossingtipsforkids##kidsfloss#parenthacks101#babyteethmatter#explore
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Pediatric Dentist Shares Easy Flossing Tips for Kids
Are clear aligners a good option for teens?
🦷✨ Thinking about clear aligners for your teen? Swipe 👉 to discover if they’re the right fit! 😁🌟
From West Los Angeles, Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers caring, expert guidance to help teens achieve confident smiles with options that fit their lifestyle. Clear aligners can be a discreet and comfortable choice—when worn consistently—and we’re here to support every step of the journey. 💛😊
Have questions or experiences with aligners? 🗣️ We’d love to hear from you—drop a comment or send us a message anytime! 🌟
Have questions? 💬 Reach out for thoughtful, gentle answers whenever you need.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
📞 (310) 837-6453
✉️ info@smilesla.com
Supporting bright smiles with gentle care! 💛🦷✨
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #pediatricorthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentistWestLosAngeles #PediatricOrthodontistWestLosAngeles #ClearAligners #TeenSmiles #Orthodontics #WestLA
🌟 Healthy Jaws = Healthy Lives — And It Starts in Childhood.
💛 Healthy jaws mean healthier lives! At Smiles, our TMJ Wellness Evaluations support kids beyond their smiles by caring for their jaw, head, neck, and posture 🌟
When children feel jaw popping, clicking, or muscle tightness 😬, we take a gentle, holistic approach that helps them feel better and grow strong.
Our care plan may include:
📸 3D diagnostic imaging
🤲 Gentle physical therapy
🛡️ Custom 3D-printed mouthguards
💡 Laser therapy with photobiomodulation
🔴 Red light therapy
Every step is designed to bring comfort, create healthy habits, and help kids thrive 🌱
Parents — has your child ever mentioned jaw clicking or tension? Share your experience 👇
📞 (310) 837-6453
📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
Caring, loving, and gentle dentistry — smiles made easy 🦷✨
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #TMJWellness #PediatricDentist #explorepage #WestLA #oralhealth #HolisticDentistry #ChildrensDentistry #TMJCare #TeensTMJ #TMJpain
@sprintray
@iteroscanner
@ultradentproducts
Can thumb sucking really affect my child’s smile?
🦷🤔✨ Could thumb sucking be changing your child’s smile? Swipe 👉 to find out why it matters! 👶💭
Nestled in West LA, Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is here to help families gently navigate habits that impact growing smiles. With compassionate care and personalized solutions, we support your child’s journey to a healthy, beautiful smile. 💛😊
Got a story or question about thumb sucking? 🗣️ Share with us in the comments — we love hearing from families and being part of your smile story. 🌟
Have questions? 💬 We’re here with kind, expert advice whenever you need it.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
📞 (310) 837-6453
✉️ info@smilesla.com
Helping little smiles grow strong and bright! 💛🦷✨
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #pediatricorthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentistWestLosAngeles #PediatricOrthodontistWestLosAngeles #HealthySmiles #ThumbSucking #FamilyDentistry #WestLA
✨ “At Smiles, we believe every child’s story matters — meet Lilliana and Penelope as they share theirs. 🦷💖”
From bubblegum toothpaste to their first wiggly teeth and Tooth Fairy magic, these sisters reminded us why caring for children is about so much more than teeth — it’s about love, laughter, and growing together at our dental home. 💕
💬 Parents — what’s your child’s favorite toothpaste flavor or their funniest Tooth Fairy story? We’d love to hear yours in the comments! Share with Smiles!
📞 (310) 837-6453
📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
“Caring, loving, and gentle dentistry — smiles made easy.”
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #HealthySmiles #GrowingSmiles #kiddentalstories
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
2 little girls at dentist office
