Inclusive, compassionate care for every patient — creating positive dental experiences through understanding and accommodation.
Over 8 Certified Doctors
Top Of The Line Care
Expert Surgical Care Options
Over 9 Dental Experts
Finding quality dental care that accommodates special needs can be challenging for many families and individuals. At Park Smiles in Edison, we understand that patients with physical, developmental, cognitive, and sensory differences require thoughtfully adapted approaches to dental care. Our specialized team provides comprehensive dentistry in a supportive, judgment-free environment designed to ensure every patient receives the exceptional care they deserve, regardless of their unique challenges or requirements.
Special needs dentistry focuses on providing comprehensive oral healthcare for individuals with physical, developmental, behavioral, sensory, or medical conditions that require additional accommodations during dental treatment. This specialized approach recognizes that standard dental protocols may need modification to ensure patients with diverse abilities receive appropriate and comfortable care. From physical accessibility considerations to sensory adaptations and behavioral support strategies, special needs dentistry encompasses a wide range of customized approaches tailored to each individual’s specific requirements.
At Park Smiles Edison, our special needs dentistry program goes beyond basic accommodations. We take the time to understand each patient’s unique challenges, preferences, and communication style before developing a personalized treatment approach. Our team has received advanced training in caring for patients with various conditions including autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, sensory processing disorders, and complex medical needs. This specialized knowledge allows us to anticipate potential challenges and implement effective strategies that make dental visits more comfortable and successful.
Our approach emphasizes building trust through patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. For many special needs patients, dental anxiety can be particularly intense due to sensory sensitivities or past negative experiences. We utilize gradual desensitization techniques, clear communication adapted to each patient’s comprehension level, and a predictable, structured environment to help reduce anxiety and build confidence. With the right accommodations and understanding, most special needs patients can receive the same high-quality dental care as any other patient, maintaining optimal oral health throughout their lifetime.
Experience dental care designed around your unique needs — schedule your consultation with our understanding Edison team today!
Individuals with special needs often face increased risk for oral health issues due to factors including medication side effects, physical challenges with oral hygiene, dietary considerations, or difficulty communicating dental pain. Our specialized approach directly addresses these barriers, helping patients maintain better oral health throughout their lifetime. Through adapted home care instruction, specialized tools, more frequent professional cleanings, and preventive treatments like sealants and fluoride, we can significantly reduce the incidence of decay and gum disease in special needs populations. By preventing and addressing oral health issues early, we help patients avoid more complex treatments that might require more intensive interventions in the future.
For many individuals with special needs, particularly those with sensory sensitivities or past negative experiences, dental visits can trigger significant anxiety or behavioral responses. Our patient-centered approach focuses on gradually building comfort through desensitization, predictable routines, and positive reinforcement. By taking time to introduce equipment, explaining procedures in accessible language, and respecting each patient’s comfort boundaries, we create positive associations with dental care. Many families report that after establishing a relationship with our practice, their loved ones experience significantly less anxiety around dental visits, making ongoing care more accessible and sustainable.
Dental pain, functional limitations, or aesthetic concerns can significantly impact quality of life for individuals with special needs, potentially affecting nutrition, speech, self-confidence, and overall wellbeing. Our comprehensive approach addresses not only immediate health concerns but also functional and aesthetic aspects of oral health. Whether it’s resolving painful conditions, improving chewing function, addressing speech-related dental issues, or enhancing smile appearance, our tailored dental care contributes to overall quality of life. By maintaining good oral health, special needs patients can avoid the additional challenges that dental problems might present in their daily lives.
Caring for the oral health needs of a loved one with disabilities can create significant stress for families and caregivers. Our practice provides valuable support through education, practical strategies, and regular professional care that reduces the burden on home caregivers. We work closely with families to develop realistic home care routines that accommodate physical limitations or behavioral challenges, recommend specialized oral hygiene tools, and provide guidance on managing diet and medication effects on oral health. Additionally, our accessible facility and accommodating scheduling practices reduce the logistical challenges often associated with healthcare appointments for individuals with special needs.
At Park Smiles Edison, our special needs dentistry program is led by a dedicated team with specialized training and a genuine passion for serving diverse patient populations. Dr. Krystle Kendall and our clinical team have pursued additional education focused on the unique dental considerations of patients with various disabilities and medical conditions. This specialized knowledge encompasses not only technical adaptations for treatment but also behavioral approaches, communication strategies, and environmental modifications that enhance the dental experience for special needs patients.
What truly distinguishes our team is their commitment to patience, empathy, and respect for each patient’s dignity. We recognize that building rapport and trust is essential, particularly for patients who may have had challenging healthcare experiences in the past. Our team takes the time to get to know each patient individually—their preferences, triggers, comfort items, and communication style—creating a personalized approach that evolves as the relationship develops.
Our special needs specialists collaborate closely with patients’ other healthcare providers, therapists, and caregivers to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to understand medical considerations, medication effects on oral health, and behavioral strategies that have proven successful in other settings. With our “one patient at a time” philosophy, we provide the unhurried, focused attention that many special needs patients require for successful dental experiences.
At Park Smiles Edison, accessibility goes far beyond basic wheelchair ramps. Our facility has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate various physical needs with features including zero-step entry, wide doorways and hallways, adjustable dental chairs that can accommodate transfer from wheelchairs, and accessible restrooms. For patients with sensory sensitivities, we offer adjustable lighting options, noise-reduction headphones, weighted blankets, and the ability to control environmental stimuli like music or television. Our commitment to accessibility extends to our communication practices as well, with visual schedules, social stories, and alternative communication options available for patients with different communication styles and needs.
We recognize that the standard dental appointment format doesn’t work for everyone. Our Edison practice offers customized appointment structures based on each patient’s specific needs and tolerance. This might include shorter, more frequent visits for patients with limited attention spans or ability to cooperate, early morning or end-of-day appointments when the office is quietest for those with sensory sensitivities, or extended appointments with breaks built in for patients who need more time to process and adjust. Our one-patient-at-a-time approach means we can truly adapt our schedule to what works best for each individual, without pressure to conform to conventional timeframes.
For some special needs patients, even with behavioral accommodations and environmental modifications, anxiety or behavioral considerations may make traditional dental treatment challenging. At Park Smiles Edison, we offer various levels of sedation tailored to individual needs and medical considerations. From mild nitrous oxide to help take the edge off anxiety to deeper sedation options for more extensive procedures or significant behavioral challenges, our sedation protocols are always customized based on comprehensive health evaluations. For patients with complex medical needs, we coordinate with their medical providers to ensure safe, appropriate sedation approaches that account for all health considerations.
At Park Smiles Edison, we believe preparation is key to successful dental experiences for special needs patients. Our approach often includes:
We encourage families to prepare at home by discussing the upcoming visit positively, practicing mouth opening, or reviewing visual schedules of the appointment process. For patients who use communication devices or picture cards, we can provide dental-specific visuals to incorporate into their systems before the visit. This comprehensive preparation significantly reduces anxiety and increases cooperation during actual treatment appointments.
Yes, our Edison practice has extensive experience working with patients who exhibit challenging behaviors related to their conditions. We approach behavioral challenges with patience, understanding, and evidence-based strategies rather than restraint or coercion. Our approach includes:
For patients with more significant behavioral challenges, we may recommend a gradual approach building up tolerance over multiple visits, or in some cases, appropriate sedation options to ensure necessary treatment can be completed safely and comfortably. Our goal is always to use the least restrictive approach that allows for successful dental care while respecting the patient’s dignity.
Sensory sensitivities are common among many of our special needs patients, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing issues. Our sensory-conscious approach includes:
We also encourage patients to bring comfort items from home that support sensory regulation. For dental procedures, we explain each sensation before it occurs and use gradual, predictable touch to minimize sensory surprises. These accommodations often make the difference between a successful appointment and an overwhelming experience for sensory-sensitive individuals.
At Park Smiles in Edison, NJ, our mission is to provide every patient with exceptional care, prioritizing comfort, compassion, and excellence at every step.
We are dedicated to delivering outstanding results through personalized attention in a welcoming and supportive environment. Led by Dr. Krystle Kendall, D.M.D., our skilled team offers a full range of top-quality dental services—all conveniently available under one roof in Edison.
Our skilled team in Edison, NJ is dedicated to offering a comprehensive array of the very best dental services
Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry
Prosthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric Dentistry
Orthodontics
Oral Surgeon
With Cherry we offer our patients the best “buy now, pay later” solution with high approvals, low cost, and a seamless experience.
At Park Smiles in Edison, NJ, we make it easy for you to receive top-quality dental care in a convenient and accessible location. Whether you’re due for a routine checkup or seeking specialized treatment, our friendly team is here to provide exceptional service in a comfortable setting.
We look forward to welcoming you to our office and helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Schedule your appointment today!
