At Fresno Dental Studio, our dentists are equipped to meet the requirements of special needs patients. Whether you suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autism, or dental fear, Fresno, CA special needs dentist Dr. Claudia Denes has a solution to create a calm, relaxing environment for your dental procedure. Dr. Denes is understanding and compassion toward every patient. At your consultation, you should feel comfortable sharing your past dental experiences with Dr. Denes. She uses these stories to establish the best quality of care for your unique needs.
Our dental office uses oral sedation to ease the nerves of anxious patients, as well as patients with other special needs. Feel free to ask about the sedatives that we offer to determine which is most appropriate for you.
Dr. Denes performs general, preventative, cosmetic, restorative, and sedation dentistry. If you need to replace a missing tooth, she recommends a dental implant and porcelain crown for a natural looking correction. For patients with improperly functioning mouths, she performs full mouth reconstruction to establish better oral function and health. Regardless of your dental needs, Dr. Denes will discuss the most comfortable way to undergo your treatment.
Who’s a Special Needs Patient?
Anyone with a unique set of needs is referred to as a special needs patient. Elderly patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia benefit from oral sedation. These patients experience gaps in their memories. This means that they could suddenly forget where they’re at in the middle of their dental procedure. Dr. Denes uses one of three oral sedatives to relax the patient until their treatment is complete.
Between 9 and 15 percent of Americans avoid dental procedures because of anxiety or fear. Most commonly, dental fear is a result from a poor past experience with a dentist. Dr. Denes works hard to reverse dental anxiety by creating a warm, supportive environment for her patients. She respects the unique experiences of each individual and creates personalized treatment plans to meet the exact needs of each patient.
For patients who suffer from dental fear, Dr. Denes prescribes two doses of medication. The first dose is to be taken the night before the procedure to help the special needs patients get a full night’s rest. This allows anxious patients to “turn their brains off” so that they can come to their appointment well rested and prepared. The second dose is taken an hour before the procedure to elicit drowsiness during the appointment. Most patients have little to no recollection of their procedure once the medication wears off.
How Does a Special Needs Dentist Help?
Special needs dentist, Dr. Denes prescribes one of three sedatives to be taken orally before your appointment. Most patients are under the impression that oral sedation puts you to sleep. Ativan, Valium, and Restoril don’t do this, but rather cause so much drowsiness that you forget parts of the procedure. Some patients forget the entire procedure. You’ll remain conscious after ingesting one of these medications. However, you can expect to feel relaxed and calm for your upcoming procedure.