Airway issues in children often go undetected, leading to sleep problems, behavioral challenges, and developmental concerns that can impact a child’s entire future. When parents finally recognize signs like snoring, teeth grinding, or frequent night wakings, the thought of their child undergoing an airway assessment can feel overwhelming. However, modern pediatric dental practices have transformed these evaluations into comfortable, child-friendly experiences that prioritize both accuracy and emotional well-being for your little one.
Dr. Jessica Barzideh and Dr. Sunaina Vohra at Little Roots Pediatric Dental understand that creating a positive experience during airway assessments is just as important as the clinical findings themselves. Our Westbury office has developed a comprehensive approach that helps anxious children feel safe and secure while we evaluate their breathing and sleep health, ensuring parents feel confident in the care their children receive.
Our Westbury Airway Assessment Services
Our team currently offers specialized airway evaluations that examine crucial indicators affecting your child’s breathing and sleep quality. “Right now, we are looking clinically at the Mallampati and Brodsky scores of these patients, helping us determine whether or not they’re going to need an evaluation with the ear, nose, or throat doctor,” explains Dr. Vohra. These assessments help us determine if children need additional evaluations for conditions like enlarged tonsils or other airway obstructions that could be affecting their oral and overall health.
We focus particularly on children experiencing pediatric sleep and breathing issues, evaluating their grinding patterns and sleep quality. “We’ll assess the patient’s teeth grinding and how they’ve been sleeping. If they’ve had frequent headaches or are not getting enough oxygen at night, we can recommend something like a sleep study,” Dr. Vohra notes. This comprehensive approach ensures we catch problems before they significantly impact your child’s health and development.
Making Anxious Children Feel Comfortable During Airways Assessments
Understanding that dental anxiety affects many children, we’ve developed specific strategies to make airway assessments as comfortable as possible. Our approach begins with recognizing that every child has unique needs and comfort levels.
“We do offer laughing gas if the child is feeling anxious and needs it to help them relax,” Dr. Barzideh explains. “It’s a tailored approach to being more detailed with each patient. Some kids need a little bit more time in the dental chair or can benefit from a distraction. Positive reinforcement also goes a long way in helping young patients feel comfortable.” This individualized care means we never rush through assessments, allowing children to feel secure and understood throughout the process.
We also utilize motivational interviewing techniques with both parents and patients, ensuring everyone understands what’s happening and feels involved in the process. “We like to see if non-pharmacological management methods work first, and if not, then we would offer other options like laughing gas,” helping us provide the most comfortable experience possible for each child.
Age-Appropriate Communication For Parents and Children
One of the most important aspects of comfortable airway assessments is how we communicate with children and their parents. We recognize that explanations must be tailored differently for adults and children to ensure everyone feels informed and at ease.
“For parents, we explain that mouth breathing, teeth grinding, and significant trouble sleeping aren’t typical in children. They’re not really normal things. So, we explain that we want to take a look in the airway and make sure everything is as it’s supposed to be,” Dr. Barzideh shares. We help parents understand that “everything affects everything else, the airway affects sleep. And sleep is the number one thing that parents, which I can relate being a mom of two little kids, are obsessed with, because sleep affects behavior, sleep affects school, sleep affects everything.”
For children, our approach is much simpler and less intimidating. “When we’re discussing airway assessments with kids, we explain that we need to look at the back of the throat, ask a few questions, and then look at their teeth. So there’s not as much explanation about it. We’re really going into details with the parents,” ensuring children feel comfortable without becoming overwhelmed by complex medical information.
Caring for Children With Special Needs During Airway Assessments
Our Westbury office takes extra steps to ensure children with special needs feel comfortable during airway assessments. We understand that these evaluations require additional sensitivity and preparation.
“Depending on the special needs or condition they do have, we always explain to them what is going to happen in a very gentle approach. We also ask the parents if their child is sensitive to any light, if they’re sensitive to any taste, if they’re sensitive to touch, or different kinds of feelings before we do the airway assessment,” Dr. Barzideh explains. This thorough preparation allows us to modify our approach based on each child’s specific sensitivities and needs.
We make sure to “respond to those needs first and then get them comfortable in the chair” before beginning any assessment, ensuring every child receives compassionate care regardless of their individual challenges.
Experience Exceptional Airways Care at Little Roots Pediatric Dental
At Little Roots Pediatric Dental, we believe every child deserves a comfortable, positive experience during airway assessments. Our Westbury office combines advanced diagnostic capabilities with a warm, child-centered approach that puts both children and parents at ease. “We take our time to get to know each family. We have the time to do that. And we really ask questions to see where people are, and we try to meet parents where they are at with their child’s oral health journey,” ensuring personalized care for every patient.
Dr. Jessica Barzideh and Dr. Sunaina Vohra and our dedicated team understand that airway health significantly impacts your child’s overall well-being, sleep quality, and development. With our gentle approach, state-of-the-art facility, and commitment to making every visit comfortable, we’re here to help your child achieve optimal airway health in a supportive environment. To schedule your child’s airway assessment at our Westbury office, call us today at (516) 738-4434 or contact us online.
