Pediatric Special Needsin Fairfax and Northern Virginia
We're passionate about creating an inclusive dental home where every smile is welcome. Our team takes the time to know your child personally, understand what helps them feel comfortable, and customize their care experience around their unique needs.
Why should I choose a special needs dentist for my child?
Our practice takes a tailored approach to caring for children with unique healthcare needs, including children with developmental, physical, cognitive, behavioral, or sensory differences. As a board-certified pediatric dentist with advanced training, Dr. Chik provides compassionate, high-quality care designed to help every child achieve and maintain optimal oral health in a comfortable, supportive environment
Symptoms of Tongue Tie
While every child and family experience is unique, the following symptoms are commonly seen in infants, children, and nursing mothers when a tongue or lip tie is present.
Infant and Child Symptoms
Difficulty with nursing or latching
Feeding frustration or prolonged feeding times
Speech delays or speech articulation problems
Persistent migraines or headaches (in older children)
Cavities, gum disease, bad breath, or other oral health issues
Difficulty maintaining proper dental hygiene
Trouble chewing age-appropriate solid foods
Avoidance of solid foods or preference for very soft foods
Gagging, choking, or vomiting with certain foods
Eating very small amounts or holding food in the mouth
Consistent dribbling or excessive drooling
Nursing Mother’s Symptoms
Pain during breastfeeding
Creased, flattened, or blanched nipples after nursing
Lipstick-shaped nipples
Blistered or cracked nipples
Poor or incomplete breast drainage
Decreased milk supply
Plugged ducts, breast engorgement, or mastitis
Nipple thrush
Baby consistently preferring one breast over the other
Signs & Symptoms Your Child May Need Airway Dentistry
Children don’t always outgrow breathing problems — many signs are subtle and show up as behavior, sleep issues, or facial development changes. Airway dentistry focuses on identifying these early so your child can breathe, sleep, and grow properly.
Mouth breathing (day or night)
Snoring or noisy sleep
Restless sleep or frequent waking
Dark circles under the eyes
Teeth grinding or clenching
Bedwetting beyond toddler years
Daytime fatigue or behavior issues
Trouble focusing or learning difficulties
Narrow jaw, crowded teeth, or high palate
Frequent congestion, sore throats, or enlarged tonsils
The Benefits of Special Needs Dentistry
Better Patient Accommodations
We customize our environment and approach for each patient, adjusting lighting and sound levels for sensory sensitivities, using special equipment, and providing additional support staff as needed.
Tailored Treatment Plans
Dr. Chik tailors every treatment to suit your child’s individual needs, ensuring their care is comfortable, effective, and personalized.
Skilled in Behavior Management
Dr. Chik uses evidence-based behavior management techniques to help children feel calm, safe, and confident during dental visits. With patience, positive reinforcement, and gentle communication, our team fosters a supportive environment that builds trust and promotes lifelong healthy dental habits.
Our Difference
Sensory Room
We proudly offer a sensory room designed for kids with special needs to feel calm, safe, and supported during their visit.Our goal is to make every child’s dental experience comfortable, positive, and stress-free.
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Rest assured that your child is receiving top-notch, specialized care with our Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Chik. To be recognized by The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, doctors must undergo extensive training in the pediatric field in addition to their standard dental degrees.
Desensitization Appointments
Going to the dentist is a significant experience, with new faces, sounds, and expectations. To help your child adjust, we offer desensitization appointments. Through a series of visits, the dentist will give your child a tour of our office, introduce our friendly team, and teach them about dental tools. This helps your kiddo get acclimated with our space so they can feel safe, secure, and cared for.
Behavior Guidance Counseling
Sitting in the dental chair isn’t always easy! That’s why our compassionate team offers behavior guidance counseling. With our gentle directions and upbeat approach, we’ll empower your child to face challenges, overcome obstacles, and gain confidence as they learn how to take charge of their oral health.
No Drill, No Shot Options
Numbing shots and noisy drills can cause unnecessary anxiety and fear for kiddos. We’re proud to offer offer drill-free and shot-free minimally invasive treatment options that not only protect your child’s smile but keep them calm and reassured, too.
Stress-Free Sedation Options
No child deserves to struggle with fear or pain during treatment. Sedation options are an effective way to help your kiddo get the care they need without discomfort or anxiety. Talk to your child’s dentist to learn more about what sedation option will best fit their needs.
The Special Needs Dentistry Process
Initial Health Discussion
We begin with a comprehensive consultation to understand your child's complete health picture. Our team will carefully review their medical history, current medications, therapy routines, and specific needs. We'll also discuss any previous dental experiences, sensory sensitivities, and communication preferences to ensure we create the most supportive environment possible. This thorough understanding helps us develop an approach that works best for your child.
Oral Exam & Teeth Cleaning
During your child's first visit, we'll conduct a thorough oral examination and gentle cleaning at a pace that feels comfortable for them. This allows us to assess their dental development, identify any immediate concerns, and understand their unique oral health patterns. We use this time to also observe how your child responds to different aspects of dental care, which helps us refine our approach for future visits.
Personalized Treatment Plan
After gathering all necessary information, we'll sit down with you to discuss our findings and recommendations in detail. Together, we'll develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your child's immediate dental needs while considering their overall health requirements. This plan includes specific in-office treatment recommendations, preventive care strategies, and practical home care techniques tailored to your child's abilities and routine.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Our team provides gentle, compassionate care to help active, anxious, or shy children feel safe and supported every step of the way. We take time to connect with your child, building trust and creating positive experiences that help them feel more confident in the dental chair. If your little one has trouble with traditional care, we can explore safe and gentle sedation options to make sure they receive the treatment they need comfortably and without fear.
Medical conditions can affect oral health in several ways. Treatment medications, the condition itself, or both may influence tooth and oral structure development, calcium levels (which affect tooth enamel), saliva production, and dietary choices. Good nutrition is essential for both overall health and dental wellness. Even the simple act of chewing plays a vital role – it stimulates jaw bone development and naturally helps remove tartar and plaque through friction.
Your child’s comfort and confidence are at the heart of everything we do. Please share any unique needs, preferences, or challenges before their appointment so we can make their visit as calm and positive as possible. You’re welcome to bring a favorite toy, blanket, or comfort item to help them feel relaxed and at ease. Reading picture books or watching short, friendly videos about visiting the dentist together can also make the experience more familiar and fun. If there’s anything special we can do to support your child, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to help every step of the way.
Many children's liquid medicines contain sweeteners to make them more palatable. While this helps ensure children take their medication, these sugars can lead to cavities without proper oral care afterward. Some medications may also reduce saliva production, creating dry mouth conditions that increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and infections. Please share your child's medication list with us so we can develop appropriate oral care recommendations.
For children with physical, emotional, behavioral, intellectual, or communication disabilities, daily oral care might present unique challenges. Here's how you can help:
- Select a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush. Consider choosing one featuring their favorite character or color to make brushing more appealing.
- Try adaptive tools like large-handled brushes. If grip is challenging, you can secure the brush with a strap or guide it with your hand.
- Let your child choose from different fluoride toothpaste flavors and colors – finding one they enjoy can make a big difference.
- Take charge of toothpaste portions by applying it yourself, and supervise brushing to prevent swallowing.
- Transform brushing into a fun activity by incorporating songs, counting games, or the alphabet. This not only entertains but also helps ensure they brush for the right amount of time.
