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.
Every sip of juice begins a cycle that affects enamel 🍊
After sugar is consumed, bacteria create acids that temporarily soften the surface of the teeth. This process can last around 20 to 30 minutes.
When sipping happens throughout the day, that cycle continues repeatedly, giving teeth less time to recover 💧
Spacing drinks and choosing water in between helps the mouth return to balance.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on small daily habits that support long term oral health ✨
We’re here to help you build simple routines that protect your child’s smile
To schedule a visit, contact our office 📞
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Thoughtful care for every stage of growth 🌱
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #acidattack #cavities #sugarandteeth #oralhealth
Great care begins with great collaboration. 🤝✨
We were honored to welcome an inspiring group of pediatric colleagues to Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for our first Pediatricians Evening—an evening dedicated to strengthening the partnership between pediatric medicine and pediatric dentistry.
As the CSPD Liaison to AAP Chapter 2, our founder, Dr. Reem, is incredibly passionate about fostering these meaningful connections. Together, we shared ideas, toured our office, and explored opportunities for future collaboration—including the possibility of a webinar or podcast-style Q&A to continue these conversations for the benefit of the children and families we serve.
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful guests and team:
Dr. Alexander Alcaraz (Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC)
@ostrowusc
Dr. Blake Alban (UCLA Health)
@UCLAHealth
Dr. Noël Salyer, Dr. Karina Eastman, and Dr. Lily Marouf (Pacific Ocean Pediatrics)
@PacificOceanPediatrics
Dr. Ivy Vuong (Our amazing Smiles orthodontist)
@dr.ivyortho
Our fantastic team members, Sejal Thapa and Jocelyn Papaqui
Dr. Reem’s daughter, Isabel, who proudly welcomed our guests and gave tours of Smiles with so much warmth and enthusiasm!
A special thank you to Dr. Reem’s AAP Chapter 2 counterpart, Dr. Thomas Torices, for your encouragement and support of this collaboration. Although you couldn’t join us in person, your message beautifully reflected the spirit of the evening. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
This is just the beginning. Here’s to building stronger relationships, sharing knowledge across disciplines, and working together to help every child thrive. 🦷🚀
#PediatricDentistry #Pediatrics #InterdisciplinaryCare #Collaboration #ChildHealth #CSPD #AAP #USCDentistry #UCLAHealth #PacificOceanPediatrics #SmilesPediatricDentistry
🦷 PrintiSmile™ A Gentle, 3D-Printed Solution for Missing Baby Front Teeth
Losing a front baby tooth from an accident or infection can be emotional for both children and parents. 💛
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our founder, Dr. Reem Kabbarah, developed PrintiSmile™—an innovative, digitally designed, 3D-printed solution that gently replaces missing baby front teeth.
Using advanced digital scanning, custom CAD design, and in-house 3D printing, every PrintiSmile™ appliance is made specifically for your child for a comfortable, natural-looking fit. ✨
In her latest blog, Dr. Reem explains:
🦷 What PrintiSmile™ is
💻 How digital scanning and 3D printing work together
👨👩👧 How families are involved every step of the way
😊 How PrintiSmile™ helps restore confidence while waiting for permanent teeth to grow in
📖 Read the full article here:
https://smilesla.com/pediatric-dentistry-orthodontics/printismile-3d-printed-baby-front-teeth
________________________________________
🏥 About Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides compassionate, technology-driven dental and orthodontic care for infants, children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs.
Founded by Dr. Reem Kabbarah, our West Los Angeles practice combines advanced digital dentistry with a gentle, child-centered approach to help every child smile with confidence. 💙
📍 West Los Angeles, CA
📞 (310) 837-6453
🌐 https://smilesla.com
#PrintiSmile #PediatricDentistry #PediatricDentist #3DPrintedDentistry #MissingBabyTeeth #LosAngelesPediatricDentist
#babyteethreplacement
#3dprinted
#sprintray
@exocadofficial
@sprintray
@cadcamspecialist
@iteroscanner
Teeth form in layers over time 🦷🌿
As teeth develop, they build layer by layer, similar to growth rings.
These layers can reflect stages of development and give insight into how teeth formed. Changes in tooth development can affect the final formation of the tooth in either shape or hardness, something we would like to address as early as a tooth begins erupting into the mouth.
This is one of the reasons dental checkups are so important during childhood.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on early detection and gentle guidance to support healthy development ✨
Did you know teeth form in layers like this? Share what surprised you below 💬
If you’d like to learn more about your child’s dental development, 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
Supporting healthy smiles every step of the way 💙
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics
#kidsdentist
#PediatricDentist
#PediatricOrthodontist
#WestLosAngeles
#toothdevelopment
#enamel
#oralhealth
Saliva does more than keep the mouth comfortable 💧🦷
It contains calcium and phosphate, natural minerals that help repair and strengthen early areas of enamel before damage progresses.
This process, called remineralization, supports the teeth throughout the day in a quiet and continuous way.
When the mouth has time to rest between eating, saliva can work more effectively to restore balance.
Simple habits like staying well hydrated and allowing breaks between snacks can support this natural protection.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on supporting the body’s natural ability to care for and protect your child’s smile ✨
Our team is here to guide you with thoughtful care that feels calm, supportive, and clear
To schedule a visit, contact our office 📞
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Helping little smiles stay strong in natural ways 🌿
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #saliva #remineralization #oralhealth #cavityprevention
Molars are where cavities most often begin 🦷🍬
Molars have deep grooves and pits designed to help grind food.
But those same grooves can trap food particles and bacteria, making them harder to clean.
Even with brushing, those tiny grooves can hold onto plaque longer than smoother surfaces.
That’s why molars are more cavity-prone, especially in children.
Dental sealants help protect these areas by sealing the grooves and blocking bacteria from settling in ✨
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on protecting these high-risk areas early 🌿
Did you know molars are the most cavity-prone teeth? Share below 💬
If you’d like to protect your child’s teeth early, 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
Protecting smiles with thoughtful care 💙
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics
#kidsdentist
#PediatricDentist
#PediatricOrthodontist
#WestLosAngeles
#molars
#cavities
#dentalsealants
#toothdecay
Teeth can last for thousands of years 🦷⏳
Because enamel is highly mineralized, it can remain long after other parts of the body have broken down. Scientists have discovered teeth that are over a million years old.
This is one of the reasons teeth are studied to understand early human life and environments 🌍
That same natural strength protects your child’s smile every day with the right care and support.
Here are three simple things to help your child’s teeth to last
• Creating consistent gentle brushing routines morning and night
• Offering foods like cheese after meals to help neutralize acids and support enamel
• Encouraging water throughout the day and keeping regular dental checkups
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on preserving that strength through thoughtful preventive care at every stage of growth ✨
Our team is here to support your child’s smile with warmth, clarity, and guidance
To schedule a visit, contact our office 📞
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Nurturing strong, healthy smiles with gentle care 🌿
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #toothenamel #cavityprevention #oralhealth #healthysmiles
Teeth follow a timeline 🦷⏳
Each tooth erupts at a general stage of development, creating a pattern dentists can read.
By looking at which teeth are present and how they’re developing, we can estimate age and monitor growth.
This helps us identify early changes, spacing concerns, or delays in development 🌿
It’s one of the ways pediatric dentistry focuses on prevention before problems begin.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we use these patterns to guide healthy growth and support every stage of development ✨
Did you know teeth can reveal age like this? Share your thoughts below 💬
If you’d like to learn more about your child’s development, 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
Caring for every stage of your child’s smile 💙
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics
#kidsdentist
#PediatricDentist
#PediatricOrthodontist
#WestLosAngeles
#tootheruption
#dentalage
#childdevelopment
#growth
