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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 · 

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 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:

1

Children and teens with developmental, neurological, sensory, and cognitive disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome.

2

Children and teens with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.

3

Children and teens with behavioral or emotional conditions like anxiety disorders and eating disorders.

4

Children and teens with medically complex conditions like heart conditions.

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.

💛 The Bright Yellow Beginning: How Smiles Became a Digital Home for Joyful Dentistry 💛
From a small 1946 dental office in West Los Angeles to a bright yellow landmark filled with art, innovation, and digital technology — the journey of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is one of transformation, creativity, and heart.
In her newest blog, Dr. Reem shares how she turned a beloved neighborhood practice into a fully digital pediatric and orthodontic home built for comfort, connection, and community. Every detail — from cheerful design to leading-edge technology — reflects her mission to make every child’s dental visit warm, gentle, and joy-filled. ☀️🦷🌈
💬 What helps your child feel most comfortable at the dentist? Share your story or thoughts below — we’d love to hear from you!
📩 Want to learn more or schedule a visit? Send us a DM or contact our office — we can’t wait to welcome you to the Smiles family. 💕
Read the full story here → https://smilesla.com/pediatric-dentistry-orthodontics/building-a-pediatric-dentist-and-orthodontic-practice
Contact Information:
📞 (310) 837-6453
📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
Because every smile deserves gentle, joyful care. 💛
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #KidsDentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #HealthySmiles #GentleDentalCare

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🦷💖 Did you know that a woman started pediatric dentistry in the United States?

In 1909, Dr. Minnie Evangeline Jordon opened the first dental practice in the U.S. just for children 🧒👧 — at a time when almost every dentist was a man treating children and adults the same.

She believed kids deserved care, compassion and gentleness ❤️ 

By 1925, she wrote the first-ever textbook on children’s dentistry, shaping how we treat little smiles to this day. 📖✨

The mother of pediatric dentistry was truly a woman ahead of her time. 👩‍⚕️💫

💬 Tag someone who inspires you or share this story to celebrate women who changed the world — one smile at a time. 🌸
📲 Want your little one to grow up loving their smile? Send us a DM or call today!

📍 Contact Information:
📞 (310) 837-6453
📧 info@smilesla.com

📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

💖 Gentle care. Bright smiles. A legacy of love that grows with every child. 🌈

#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics
#KidsDentist
#PediatricDentist
#PediatricOrthodontist
#WestLosAngeles
#WomenInDentistry
#TheMotherOfPediatricDentistry

...

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💻🎨 Where Science Meets Art — Designing Smiles Digitally!
(3 of 4) Digital Workflow Series – CAD/CAM
Next, Dr. Reem takes us inside the creative design phase — where our Smiles team turns digital scans into beautifully crafted smiles. ✨
Using advanced software, each smile is designed with a perfect balance of science and art. Whether it’s for restoration, a cosmetic touch, or early orthodontics, every detail is personalized for comfort and confidence. 💖
💬 Do you think creating smiles is more science or art? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
📲 Learn how Dr. Reem and our Smiles team blend technology and compassion to create smiles that shine. DM or call us today.
📞 (310) 837-6453
📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
Where Every Smile Is a Work of Heart 💛
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #DigitalDesign #CADCAMSmiles

...

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🦷✨ Step 2: The Digital Scan in Action (Part 2 of 4 – CAD/CAM Series)

Our Smiles team takes you behind the scenes to see how we capture every detail of a child’s smile with gentle precision using digital scanning technology. 💻💫 No goopy impressions — just comfort, accuracy, and smiles all around!

Each scan creates the foundation for beautifully designed restorations and orthodontic solutions made just for kids. 🪄

💬 Have you seen a digital dental scan before? Tell us what you think — the future of pediatric dentistry is here!

📲 Discover how Dr. Reem and our Smiles team combine innovation and care to make dentistry easier and more fun for every child.
📞 (310) 837-6453 | 📧 info@smilesla.com

📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

Caring for Little Smiles with Big Love 💛

#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #DrReem #DigitalDentistry #CADCAMSmiles #3DScan #WestLAPediatricDentist #KidsDentist

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🦷✨ Keeping All 32 Teeth? Let’s Talk Wisdom!

In this heartwarming chat, Dr. Reem sits down with Sebastian — one of our amazing teen patients — to talk about his unique smile. 🙌 His wisdom teeth grew in perfectly, meaning he gets to keep all 32! With protective sealants, regular cleanings, and good flossing habits, Sebastian’s smile is set for life. 💪

💬 Teens, have you ever wondered if you’ll need your wisdom teeth removed? Drop your thoughts or questions below — Dr. Reem loves sharing insights to help you understand every stage of your smile journey!

📲 Experience expert, gentle care designed for growing smiles. Contact our Smiles team today:
📞 (310) 837-6453
📧 info@smilesla.com

📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

Caring for Little Smiles that Grow Big 💛

#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #DrReem #TeenDentalCare #WisdomTeeth #WestLAPediatricDentist #HealthySmiles #Sealants #KidsDentist

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