Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sunaina Vohra, DMD on September 11, 2026
Airway issues in children often go undetected, leading to sleep problems, behavioral challenges, and developmental concerns that can affect 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. 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, so you can feel confident in the care your child receives. In this interview, our doctors share how we approach airway assessments, from the clinical scoring we use to the way we talk with families before, during, and after the visit.
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 helps us catch problems before they significantly affect your child’s health and development.
The Research Behind Airway Screening in Pediatric Dentistry
The scoring systems Dr. Vohra references are not simply an internal preference; they reflect a growing body of research on how a dental visit can double as an early screening opportunity for sleep-disordered breathing. A study published in the peer-reviewed literature and indexed on the National Institutes of Health’s PubMed Central database found that children with higher Mallampati classifications had a substantially greater likelihood of sleep-related breathing disorders compared to children with lower classifications, supporting the use of this quick, non-invasive screening tool during routine pediatric dental exams.
What this means for your family is that an airway assessment at our Westbury office is not an extra, unnecessary step. It is a data-informed part of a comprehensive dental exam that can flag concerns long before they show up as a formal sleep study referral or an ENT consultation.
Making Anxious Children Feel Comfortable During Airway Assessments
Understanding that dental anxiety affects many children, we have 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, so everyone understands what is 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,” which helps us provide the most comfortable experience possible for each child.
Age-Appropriate Communication for Parents and Children
One of the most important aspects of a comfortable airway assessment is how we communicate with children and their parents. Explanations must be tailored differently for adults and children so that 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,” which keeps children comfortable without overwhelming them with complex medical information.
Caring for Children With Special Needs During Airway Assessments
Our Westbury office takes extra steps to help children with special needs feel comfortable during airway assessments. 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, so every child receives compassionate care regardless of their individual challenges.
What Happens After an Airway Assessment
Parents often ask what comes next once an airway assessment is complete. If our screening suggests a possible concern, such as an elevated Mallampati or Brodsky score, we discuss the finding with you in plain language and, when appropriate, recommend a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist or a sleep study through your child’s pediatrician. We see ourselves as one part of a broader care team rather than the final word on a diagnosis.
If the assessment does not raise immediate concerns, we still document our findings and revisit them at future visits, since airway development can change as a child grows, loses baby teeth, and gains permanent molars. This ongoing tracking is part of why we recommend keeping up with regular preventive visits even when nothing seems obviously wrong. If you would like to learn more about the broader approach behind this screening, our airway, sleep, and behavior blog post and our breathing and growth blog post go into more detail on the signs we watch for.
Experience Exceptional Airway 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,” which helps us provide personalized care for every patient.
Dr. Jessica Barzideh and Dr. Sunaina Vohra and our dedicated team understand that airway health significantly affects 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 are here to help your child work toward optimal airway health in a supportive environment. Visit our pediatric airway dentistry page to learn more about the services we offer, or schedule your child’s airway assessment at our Westbury office today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airway Assessments
What is a Mallampati or Brodsky score, and why do you check it?
These are simple visual scoring systems that describe how much of the throat and tonsils are visible during an exam. A higher score can point to a narrower airway and is associated with a greater chance of sleep-related breathing concerns, so we use it as a quick, non-invasive way to decide whether a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist may be worth discussing.
Will my child need laughing gas for an airway assessment?
Most airway assessments do not require any sedation at all. We start with non-pharmacological approaches such as positive reinforcement, distraction, and clear communication, and we only discuss options like nitrous oxide for children who need extra support to feel relaxed.
At what age can my child have an airway assessment?
We can begin observing airway-related signs as early as a child’s first dental visit, and screening becomes more detailed as children get older and can participate more directly in the exam. There is no minimum age that excludes a child from a basic airway conversation with our team.
What happens if the assessment finds a possible airway concern?
We explain the finding to you in plain language and, when appropriate, suggest a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist or a sleep study coordinated with your child’s pediatrician. We see our role as one part of a larger care team rather than the only source of a diagnosis.
How do you help children with sensory sensitivities feel comfortable during the exam?
We ask parents in advance about sensitivities to light, taste, touch, and sound, and we adjust our approach accordingly, such as explaining each step gently and pausing when a child needs a break. Responding to those needs first, before beginning the exam, helps every child feel more settled in the chair.
About the Author
Founder & Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Sunaina Vohra, DMD, is a board-certified pediatric dentist and co-founder of Little Roots Pediatric Dental. She completed her pediatric dental residency at the Woodhull Medical Center Pediatric Dental Program in Brooklyn, New York, where she served as chief resident, and her clinical focus includes obstructive sleep apnea and airway health in children.
