Every child and every family is different, and that’s especially true when it comes to dental care for children and adolescents with additional needs. Whether your child has sensory sensitivities, communicates differently, has a complex medical history, or simply finds new environments harder to settle into, we want you to know that Tooth Town is here to work with you — not around you. This guide shares some practical ways to prepare for a visit, and what you can expect from our team along the way.
Our approach to special needs dentistry
At Tooth Town, special needs dentistry is led by Dr Candy Fung, who cares for children, adolescents and adults with additional needs. Telehealth may be offered where appropriate for your child’s situation. If telehealth might suit your family, it’s worth raising this with our team when you get in touch.
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all dental visit. Every child’s needs, preferences and history are different, so we take a person-centred approach — getting to know your child and planning the visit around what will genuinely work for them, rather than fitting them into a standard appointment format. This might mean a longer appointment, a different order of steps, extra breaks, or simply more time spent talking with you before we talk with your child.
Talk to us before the appointment
The single most helpful thing you can do is talk to our team ahead of time. The more we understand about your child before they arrive, the better we can plan a visit that feels manageable for them. Things you might like to share include:
- Sensory preferences and sensitivities — for example, reactions to noise, light, touch, taste or unfamiliar smells.
- How your child communicates — including whether they use particular words, gestures, visual supports, an AAC device, or prefer information delivered in a certain way.
- Known triggers or things that help — anything that tends to cause distress, and anything that tends to help your child feel calmer.
- Previous dental or medical experiences — good or difficult — so we can plan around what has and hasn’t worked before.
- Relevant medical history and medications — including any conditions, allergies or medications that may be relevant to their care and comfort on the day.
There’s no such thing as too much information here. Sharing these details in advance means our team can plan properly, rather than working it out on the spot.
Practical ways to prepare
Alongside talking with our team, a few practical steps can make the visit itself feel more predictable for your child:
- Bring a comfort item — a favourite toy, blanket, headphones or other item that helps your child feel secure is welcome to come along.
- Consider a shorter familiarisation visit first, if this would help your child. Some families find it useful for their child to visit the practice, meet the team and see the space before any treatment is attempted. If you think this could help, ask us about it.
- Let us know about routines that help — for example, a preferred way of being greeted, a countdown before something happens, or a particular way of explaining what’s coming next.
- Plan for the practical logistics — such as how your child copes with waiting, whether a quieter arrival time might help, or whether you’d like to wait somewhere specific before being called through.
Every one of these is optional, and none is expected to apply to every child. The point is simply to tell us what’s true for your child, so we can plan accordingly.
What you can expect from our team
Families preparing for a special needs dental visit can expect our team to be patient, flexible and non-judgemental. We aim to adapt our pacing and approach to suit your child, rather than asking your child to adapt to us. This might mean taking things slowly, pausing when needed, adjusting the environment where we’re able to, or simply spending extra time building trust before moving ahead with any examination or treatment.
Some children find that certain environmental adjustments help them feel more at ease. If there’s something specific that tends to help your child — for example, around lighting, noise or seating — please ask us what may be available on the day, and we’ll talk through it with you honestly.
Above all, we want you and your child to feel heard, respected and unhurried. If a visit needs to be paused, broken into shorter steps, or rescheduled, that’s a completely reasonable part of getting the care right — not a failure.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see Dr Candy Fung?
Please contact our team to discuss the best way to book an appointment for your child. We can talk you through what’s needed based on your situation.
Will my child definitely need treatment on the first visit?
Not necessarily. The first visit is often about assessment, getting to know your child, and understanding what approach will work best. Dr Candy will discuss the most appropriate next steps with you after meeting your child.
Can I stay with my child during the appointment?
Yes — you’re welcome to stay with your child for their appointment. The only time parents aren’t permitted to stay is during treatment under general anaesthesia, where this isn’t allowed in the hospital operating theatre, in line with national standards across all hospitals. Beyond that, please let us know your preferences when you book, so we can talk through what position or level of involvement in the room will work best for your child and your family on the day.
What if my child has had a difficult dental experience before?
That’s really important for us to know. Please tell our team about previous experiences so we can plan the visit differently and help build a more positive association with dental care over time.
Is telehealth available for special needs consultations?
Telehealth may be offered where appropriate, depending on your child’s situation. Please ask our team when you get in touch and we can discuss whether this could be suitable.
What if my child needs more time or a different kind of appointment structure?
Just let us know. We plan visits individually, and there’s no single “normal” appointment we expect every child to fit into.
What to do next
If you’re preparing for your child’s first special needs dental visit, or you’d simply like to talk through what might help before booking, our team is very happy to have that conversation with you first. Contact Tooth Town to share what we should know about your child, or book an appointment and let us know in advance so we can plan the visit around them.
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace an individual conversation with our team. Dr Candy Fung and the Tooth Town team will work with you to plan an appointment that’s appropriate for your child.