Western Special Needs Dentistry is accessible for people with special needs, with plenty of space for patients to be treated in their wheelchairs, if required. Our informative, caring and friendly specialist staff have a calm, gentle and positive approach to delivering individualised oral health services. Our aim is to build long term relationships with our patients. We welcome the involvement of family and carers in developing comprehensive, personalised treatment strategies, including day surgery treatment at Wyndham Clinic where required. We also provide home visits- contact us to find out more including eligibility requirements.
Our Vision
The Vision of Western Special Needs Dentistry is simple:
‘to become your dental sanctuary through the provision of calm, compassionate care.’
Our Mission
‘To provide individualised oral health care for people with special needs, helping them and their families and carers in the most gentle and positive way, resulting in improved function, appearance and free from dental pain.’
About Special Needs Dentistry
‘Special Needs Dentistry supports the oral health care needs of people with an intellectual disability, medical, physical or psychiatric conditions that require special methods or techniques to prevent or treat oral health problems, or where such conditions necessitate special dental treatment plans.’
(Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons 2013)*
Any person, school age and above who has difficulty accessing appropriate dental care from mainstream services is eligible to visit WSND. Adolescents with special needs are particularly welcome at WSND- extra assistance is often required in these years as the individual makes the transition from paediatric to adult services.
Western Special Needs Dentistry provides care for people requiring additional assistance:
- Physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, motor neurone disease, acquired brain injury and Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, these patients may have swallowing problems and therefore should only be semi-reclined in the dental chair. Treatment is also possible with the patient remaining in the wheelchair.
- Developmental disabilities such as Down’s Syndrome and conditions caused by other chromosomal configurations, autism and other conditions causing behavioural issues.
- Complex medical histories and multiple medications such as cancer treatments and psychiatric conditions. Medications can cause a dry mouth and other oral health issues. Specific considerations are often necessary in planning dental treatment which involve liaising with medical General Practitioners and other specialists.
- Anxiety regarding dental treatment due to a specific issue such as a pronounced gag reflex or more general issues.
- Older people who require assistance with daily activities, such as toothbrushing, and may have multiple issues such as dementia, medical conditions and physical disabilities.
Some patients will have issues spanning several of the above situations.