Special Needs Dentistry
Dr. Hull completed his general residency at Tufts with focus on the care of special needs children and adults. If you are the parent or guardian of a child or adult with special needs (be it cognitive, medical or physical), please feel free to contact our office to discuss the most appropriate options.
DID YOU KNOW? In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with boys more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Having an autism spectrum disorder means that there are a wide range (“spectrum”) of symptoms that can be present, which will vary and present uniquely from person to person.
Establishing and maintaining oral health routines can be a challenging task for parents and caregivers of patients with special needs, who may find the very act of brushing their teeth to be too invasive and the sensations/tastes too overstimulating.
It may take several tries to find the right toothbrush (any kind is fine, as long as it has soft bristles and is the correct size) and toothpaste, but once you do, gradual conditioning will often work well in building up to that point where you will be able to brush all of the teeth. Consistent verbal cues and photographs of each step may help in creating a predictable routine.
Visiting the dentist may also present unique challenges. Purchasing a dental mirror at your local pharmacy and practicing counting teeth at home may help prepare for your visit. Photos of the office and staff members you will be visiting may also help...please see visit the Our Practice and the Meet Us sections of our website to help create a visual connection.
Understanding that coming into a new office may be challenging both to the patient and the caregiver, we allow extra time for the patient to become acclimated to us and our office in a calm, compassionate environment. We encourage you to speak to us to let us know if there are any specific needs that can help us prepare for your visit - for example, sensitivity to sensory inputs such as certain smells, flavors, bright lights and loud noises. In addition, bringing the toothbrush and toothpaste that is used at home for daily care helps, as it is a familiar item to the patient that we can use as an aid when we do our exam.
In many cases we are able to care for patients with special needs in our private office. Sometimes medically challenged adults and children, whether due to congenital or behavioral problems, have great difficulty staying calm or remaining in a dental chair under certain conditions. If care is unable to be provided in the office, Dr. Hull works with board certified Anesthesiologists at Franciscan Children’s Hospital, where dental care can be completed in one visit under general anesthesia. We do not offer sedation options in our office.
KINDLY NOTE: The patient must be evaluated by Dr. Hull in our office prior to beginning the process of arranging care at Franciscans Children's Hospital. Approval for treatment in the O.R. and the scheduling of treatment is solely at the discretion of Franciscan Children's.
For more information, please feel free to use our Contact form. You may also call us by telephone at (781) 942-2020, or by e-mail at info@drkhull.com. If you would like to make an appointment, you may send us an Appointment Request or call us directly.
Dr. Hull and staff share a mission for compassionate special needs dental care.