Led by Dr. Jaime Orrick, Dr. Corey Hastings, and Dr. Matt Freihofer, our dentists bring specialized training and genuine compassion to every appointment. We serve families throughout Washington, Dardenne Prairie, and Hazelwood, making high-quality pediatric dental care accessible to children of all abilities.
What Makes Special Needs Dentistry Different?
Traditional dental visits follow a predictable routine—one that doesn’t always work for children with developmental, sensory, or physical differences. Special needs dentistry recognizes that cookie-cutter approaches fail many kids, so we customize everything from appointment length to communication style based on what your child needs to feel safe and understood.
Some children benefit from pre-visit tours where they can explore the office and meet the team without any dental work happening. Others do better with visual schedules that show exactly what will happen during their appointment, reducing anxiety about the unknown. We might adjust lighting, minimize sounds, or allow extra time for your child to process instructions and get comfortable in the chair.
Our dentists also modify treatment techniques based on your child’s abilities. For kids with limited mobility, we position them in ways that ensure both comfort and access to their mouth. Children who struggle with oral sensitivities receive gentle desensitization and breaks as needed. The goal isn’t just to complete dental procedures—it’s to build positive associations with oral care that will serve your child for life.
How We Build Trust and Reduce Anxiety
Many parents of children with special needs have encountered dental offices where the staff seemed impatient or unprepared for their child’s specific needs. That’s not what happens here. Our entire approach centers on meeting your child exactly where they are, both emotionally and developmentally.
Before the first appointment, we encourage parents to share detailed information about what helps their child feel calm, what triggers distress, and any specific accommodations that have worked in other medical settings. This preparation allows us to proactively create an experience tailored to your child rather than reacting when challenges arise.
Our trust-building strategies include:
- Extended appointment times so no one feels rushed
- Communication methods that match your child’s needs—whether verbal, visual, or through assistive devices
- Allowing comfort items like weighted blankets, fidget toys, or noise-canceling headphones
- Breaking appointments into shorter sessions if a full visit feels overwhelming
- Celebrating small victories and progress rather than expecting perfection
We’ve learned that patience and flexibility go further than any piece of equipment ever could. When children sense that their dentist genuinely cares about their comfort and respects their pace, they’re far more likely to cooperate and even look forward to future visits.
The Role of Sedation and Behavior Guidance
For some children with special needs, traditional behavior guidance techniques aren’t enough to ensure a safe, effective dental visit. That’s when sedation dentistry becomes a valuable tool—not as a shortcut, but as a way to provide necessary care while protecting your child’s emotional well-being.
We offer various sedation levels depending on your child’s medical history, anxiety level, and the complexity of treatment needed. Mild sedation helps children relax while remaining awake and responsive, which works well for anxious but generally cooperative patients. Moderate sedation provides deeper relaxation for children who struggle to sit still or havea significant dental phobia. For extensive procedures or children with severe behavioral challenges, we may recommend hospital-based care under general anesthesia, which allows us to complete all necessary work in one safe, pain-free session.
Every sedation decision involves careful consultation with parents and, when appropriate, your child’s other healthcare providers. We never push sedation when it isn’t needed, but we also don’t hesitate to recommend it when it’s clearly the most compassionate path forward.
Working as Partners with Parents and Caregivers
You know your child better than anyone, and we consider that expertise essential to providing excellent care. Special needs dentistry Washington families trust isn’t just about what happens in the dental chair—it’s about collaboration between our team and yours.
We actively seek input about what communication methods work best, which sensory experiences your child finds soothing or distressing, and what strategies have succeeded in other medical appointments. Many parents have developed detailed profiles of their child’s needs, and we welcome that information as the valuable roadmap it is.
Between appointments, we’re available to answer questions about home care adaptations, recommend products that might make brushing easier, or troubleshoot challenges you’re facing with your child’s oral hygiene routine. Our compassionate care philosophy extends well beyond the four walls of our office.
Preparing for Your Child’s First Visit
Walking into a new dental office can feel daunting when you’re unsure whether the team will truly accommodate your child’s needs. We want to eliminate that uncertainty by helping you prepare thoroughly for what to expect.
Before scheduling, call our office to discuss your child’s specific requirements. Our staff can answer questions about accessibility, sensory accommodations, and appointment structure. Many families find it helpful to visit the office for a brief tour before the actual appointment, giving their child a chance to familiarize themselves with the environment when there’s zero pressure.
On appointment day, arrive a few minutes early but let us know if waiting rooms are difficult for your child—we can often bring you straight back to a quieter space. Bring any comfort items, communication tools, or medications your child might need. Most importantly, share any last-minute concerns or changes in your child’s routine that might affect their cooperation.
Trusted Special Needs Dentistry in Washington
Families seeking special needs dentistry in Washington choose our practice because they’ve experienced the difference that specialized training and genuine understanding make. Dr. Jaime Orrick, Dr. Corey Hastings, and Dr. Matt Freihofer have dedicated their careers to pediatric dentistry, with additional focus on serving children whose needs extend beyond routine care.
Our dedicated special needs program ensures every team member understands how to support children with diverse abilities. We also participate in continuing education focused on the latest research and techniques in adaptive dentistry. With locations in Washington, Dardenne Prairie, and Hazelwood, accessing compassionate care is convenient no matter where you live in the region.
For families without dental insurance, our Smile Savers Plan provides an affordable way to maintain consistent preventive care—which is especially important for children with special needs who may be at higher risk for oral health issues.
Your child deserves a dental home where they’re celebrated, not just tolerated. If you’ve been searching for special needs dentistry Washington families can count on, we’d love to show you what truly individualized care looks like. Contact Little Smiles to discuss your child’s unique needs and schedule a visit tailored entirely to them—because every child deserves to smile with confidence.