Support from your dentist
Dentists are equipped to support families with children who have additional needs or disabilities.
A dentist will help to identify, prevent and treat problems that affect the mouth and teeth. Find out more about the support services available below, including specialist care dentistry.
Support from your dentist
Your dentist can support you by making reasonable adjustments if your child has additional needs and/or disabilities. It is important to explain to your dentist what your child’s additional needs are, so that they can provide appropriate support.
Reasonable adjustments could include:
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an appointment at the beginning or end of the day
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a longer appointment time for your child
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an online appointment rather than a face-to-face consultation
It is often useful to check your local dentist’s website for further information about access and special provisions made to support individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). If you cannot find the information you are looking for online, call the dental practice or speak to a member of the team in person.
Find a dentist
It is important to register with a local dentist so that you can access dental health services if you need them.
You can find out more about local dental practices, how to register and the cost of services, here.
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Special care dentistry
You may be referred into a dental service if you need specialised treatment not provided within your usual practice. Special care dentistry is available for adults and children living in Northumberland who have been referred by a medical or dental practitioner, or other health or social care professional.
Specialist treatment includes treatment for patients with complex needs and can include dental checks, procedures, orthodontics and home visits for patients with additional needs.
Following specialist treatment, you usually return to your usual dentist practice for regular dental checks and/or treatment. Some patients with ongoing and specific additional needs may continue to receive their dental care from the specialist practice.
As well as providing clinical services, specialist dental practices also provide other services in the wider local community, including dental screening in special schools and national dental surveys.