Seeking Pediatric Dentist experienced with special needs children

[Anonymous]

My 3.5 year old son is on the autism spectrum and has sensory issues, which makes going to new environments and doctor visits very challenging. He is not potty trained b/c he has major tantrums when we try to get him to just sit on the toilet. I cannot imagine how we will be able to get him to a dentist.

Can anyone recommend a pediatric dentist who is experienced with treating children with special needs?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

We take our daughter (she is now potty trained, but was not when we started) to Dr Orlando and Dr Orlando (brother and sister) in Rockville -- their address is Bethesda but I consider it Rockville.

They are great. My daughter has quite a few special needs that I won't go into. I see other SN kids in their practice. I go with my daughter and sit in the chair with her in my lap. They take this as a matter of course and I see "normal" kids doing this with their parents too.

Orlando Pediatric Dental Care
10401 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD20814

Phone: [phone]

[Anonymous]

We take our child to Dr. (Tom) Orlando. He is experienced with special needs kids. I think they are both good. Dr. Tom convinced my child that we need to count our teeth every night (I floss 8 teeth and count them each night). I am amazed that my child lets me do this. Dr. Tom is amazing. His office is definitely in Bethesda, but they just built a building in front of his building, so the address is a little hard to see from the street. It is near the Wildwood Shopping Center.

[Anonymous]

I read somewhere that Dr. Morgenstein and Levy have a practice geared towards special needs. They are in White Flint. I know nothing about the practice now, as I went as a kid (when they were not geared as special needs per sey).

[Anonymous]

Dr. Dana Greenwald in Chevy Chase DC has been terrific with my DS who has an ASD.

[Anonymous]

When our 3-year old son fell and broke a tooth we took him to Morgenstein and Levy and saw Dr. Ensour. It was his first time to a dentist, he was in pain, bleeding and upset and not in the mood to be compliant. Dr. Ensour was great with him.

[Anonymous]

We've seen both Dr. Morgenstein (Morgenstein & Levy) and Dr. Tom Orlando. I personally like Dr. Morgenstein's professionalism more, but he did not take our insurance. Dr. Olrando's practice does. They both seemed to be qualified, knowledgeable dentists, skilled with pediatric patients. My dc has motor delays and some sensory issues. Both dentistst were able to put my dc at ease despite the sensory needs.

[Anonymous]

I've seen lots of special needs kids at Morgenstein and Levy when we've been in. I think they are great all around and I highly recommend them.

[Anonymous]

We were going to switch to them, but their website says they do not take any insurance. Our current ped dentist does take ours so we are staying put. But I heard Morgenstein & Levy are really good.

[Anonymous]

We used Maryam Mohammadi who is in McLean and DC near Dupont Circle. DS sat in my lap, she gave him sunglasses, toys at the end plus toothbrush. She even let him play with the suction tube (Mr. Thirsty). She cleaned his teeth with a soft headed spinner and also scraped the plaque by "counting" his teeth.

These days, I think she's restless and I think has been less gentle. But I write this because her technique with my then toddler is something other dentists can do with special needs kids.

[Anonymous]

We see Dr. Ensor at Morgenstein & Levy. She is awesome! Call them to discuss the insurance. We were just there and they take our insurance. I remember the first time we went we had to pay and submit it ourselves and they told us that the next time they would submit it for us. That has been the case ever since and we haven't had a problem with insurance. When I called to make the first appointment, I described my childrens' issues and asked which doctor and the receptionist said Dr. Ensor. She is so warm and gentle. The only thing that is a little off-putting there is that the kids are all in one big room with four chairs. I think they have some private rooms they can put you in but they are mainly for more difficult procedures. But you can discuss that with them too.

[Anonymous]

My DD sees Dr. Skordalakis, who has offices in Leesburg and Vienna and apparently has quite an extensive special needs practice. The Vienna location is new, so he only sees patients there on Fridays, but it also means he's still taking new patients. I know two other families of kids with special needs, one who has extreme anxiety, and they see him as well. The kids all love him and he does a FANTASTIC job! At our first appointment DD wasn't even 2 years old yet and she did just fine with him.

[Anonymous]

We see Dr. Edward Nelson on Glebe Road in Arlington. He will also seal baby teeth to prevent cavities. Four sons, one cavity among them. He is great with special needs kids.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Michael Gazori works with a lot of special needs cases, the tough ones. He used to work at Dr. Light's office in Potomac and people followed him all the way to Lansdowne where his office is. He knows FloorTime and uses it on his patients. He doesn't charge for visits if no work is done. He doesn't charge extra for 'behavioral management' either. But he's all the way in Lansdowne.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Ephraim Altmon is amazing with special needs kids and without a doubt you need to bring your babies to him. He's the pediatric dentist other dentists send their patients too when they don't know what to do. He is located at 4301 Connecticut ave, NW suite #453. His practice is Kiddie Cavity Care. He will be so wonderful with your child it will bring tears of joy and relief to your eyes. PH# 202-470-3676. Right on the redline, Van Ness metro.