1st dental visit hi everyone, My ds is 3 1/2 yrs and I have not taken him to the dentist yet, cause I'm not sure how to approach it or if he would even open his mouth he hates any room that even ressemble a doctors office. any suggustions on taking a kid with pdd to the dentist.       sonia. Prep him, talk to him, play dentist at home so he knows what to expect, if possible show him pictures of different tools they use read him books you can find at the library about going to the dentist and what the dentist does. Find a pediatric dentist speak to them ahead of time that you have a child on the spectrum and mention if they have sensory issues... ask if its possible to bring him in early or even a day or 2 before to have him just have a look and feel comfortable (like a mini field trip) Ask ahead of time about trying to use the lead x ray apron on him as a calming tool.... There are also several different dental sounds you can preview on this site http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/display/sounds.cfm/sound_group_ iid.819 for free to prepare him for the sounds he will hear..... use a bendable straw to pretend to be lookin gin his mouth with and make it fun! Allow him to pretend to be the dentist with you as the patient as well... the more prepared he is the less anxiety Also bring a pair of sunglasses if light effects their eyes, headphones for the sounds, offer a reward to stop at the park on the way home for a job well done.... PRAISE them as they sit in the chair... hold their hand and talk to them about their favorite things... tell them home their favorite characters go to the dentist too to have nice teeth whatever catches their interest!lesley-why does your son throw up?? my son has reflux which was eating his 2 front teeth and last year when he fell and they were so soft the enamel  came off. they had to remove both teeth. they had to put him to sleep. just to look into his mouth. Thank you Michelle for all these wonderful tips!!!!  THANK YOU THANK YOU! My son throws up about 80-100 days per year, so the acid is tearing away the enamel on his teeth, not to mention his complete fear of the sounds you brought up.  Honestly....I NEVER thought about sunglasses...see?!?!  Sheer brilliance you have!  Thanks again! ~Lesley  hi to all,  thanks alot this is some great information!          sonia We took my daughter for her first visit and all they did was have her sit in the chair while they showed her stuff. She wouldn't let them near her teeth and they said that ok...she was just getting a feel for it all. Only thing is, they coded w/my insurance company diferently than they would for a cleaning and it wasn't covered by my insurance because of it.  Something about behavoiral issues and exams. So, just make sure you look into that end of it.  Mary Lesley thats AWESOME its been 2 months sinc ehe was last sick!  My fingers are crossed for you guys as well! He has suffered from "Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome" since age 2:  www.cvsaonline.org We're working with some new preventative and abortive meds so I'm hoping this year will be better!  Fingers crossed...but it's been almost 7 years now so I'm not too hopeful!  (although it's now been 66 days, so maybe, although summers are usually best on him) Isn't it terrible what it does to their teeth!?!?!  Ugh...these poor kids can't catch a break! ~Lesley Our dentist suggests that before the childs first real visit they come in when the parents or siblings or anyone they are close to gets their teeth cleaned and checked.  Just to watch and hang out.  Good luck Sonia...I hope it goes well for you and your little boy!!! ~Lesley  hi all,     thanks for your responses!                anymore information on how to find a dentist willing to deal with kids with asd,          sonia Sonia My son just turned 3 and had his first visit monday. I went friday to visit and meet the hygenist. {Oh my son has pdd-nos and epilepsy. To brush his teeth I sit on his arms and legs and sing will brushing. He squirms but is used to it.} Anyways the day of the waiting room was the worst part. I know he can't play well with other kids and wanted to walk around. We went back and I put him in the chair. The denist said open up. (I laughed). He said help me, the hygenist gently held his arms down and I patted his legs. The denist open his mouth and held it open for maybe 10 sec if that. Said perfect see you in 6 mos. He got a tooth brush and a sticker and a couple of hygenist clapped for him!!!!!!! ** Please call around and find a denist who is sensitive to our special children and their needs. In other words will let you go back (if you feel you need to). It took 3 to find one for me. One even told me oh dont worry we will use as many people as we need to hold him down to look in!! So call around first and check with ins.** Hope this helps.
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