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Special Needs Dentistry
Individualized Attention and Care

Our team works with the parents and children to make the dentist's office a friendly place for children of all abilities.

Special Needs Dentistry in Palos Heights IL
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Special Needs Dentist in Palos Heights, IL

Pediatric Special Needs Dentistry

Our patients with special needs are near and dear to our hearts. At Palos Pediatric Dentistry, we realize that extra challenges exist for patients with special needs, but we know that when started early on a healthy dental care routine, your child can enjoy a healthy smile.

Whether your child is only mildly impaired or whether they have significant issues that can make dental care difficult, we are prepared to create a customized treatment plan and dental hygiene routine. Dr. Facko has the experience and resources to treat every child.

Additional Dental Needs

We team up with you through home care, regular visits, and gentle treatment to provide the best for your child. Many patients with special needs have dental requirements that go beyond the average. Because of impaired motor skills or challenges with comprehension and communication, regular home care can be difficult.

We are experts at demonstrating and assisting you so that you can provide effective home care for your child. We know that providing you with the skills to be effective at home is our first step in a healthy dental future for all of our patients.

Many kids with special needs suffer from tooth decay and gum disease. They are also much more susceptible to dental trauma, whether from seizures, accidents, or a strong bite. We have solutions to help protect your child’s dentistry and support you to keep them at their healthiest.

Individualized Attention and Care

Many children with special needs are sensitive to touch, light, sound, and motion. That is why we discuss with you how to best approach your child. We know that extra care and comfort are a necessity. We offer gentle treatment and remain constantly tuned in to your child so that we know they are comfortable and pain-free during treatment.

Building Patient Relationships

The greatest way we can benefit all of our patients is by creating consistency and comfort. Dr. Facko and our entire team know the importance of quality dentistry, but we believe that success begins with a foundation of compassion and familiarity with the families who come to our office.

We empower our patients to participate in their own dental care to the degree that they are capable, and we will work with your child on brushing and flossing techniques and tools that can make this valuable home care easier. We can help to educate, demonstrate, and reward your child for good dental habits.

If necessary, we offer sedation and general anesthetic to complete more complex dental procedures. We can provide this in our office or at the hospital based your child’s medical requirements.

Call to Schedule a New Patient Exam at or Palos Heights Dental Office

We know that you probably want to talk to us about your child’s unique situation. Give us a call, and one of our highly skilled team members will answer all of your questions. At Palos Pediatric Dentistry, we welcome you to our practice and appreciate the opportunity to care for your kids. You can also check out a more detailed breakdown of dental costs here

Frequently Asked Questions

Special Needs Dentistry in Palos Heights, IL 

For children who have special challenges – and even for those who don’t – visiting the dentist doesn’t always seem like much fun! Fortunately, a compassionate dental staff and a dentist who is trained in special needs dentistry in Palos Heights can make all the difference.

Keeping Kids Comfortable at the Dentist Office

Sitting in a dentist chair for an extended time can be challenging for kids of all ages. But for little ones with sensory, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments, dental treatments and exams can be especially challenging.

  • A caring, gentle manner that makes kids feel more comfortable goes a long way towards helping them adapt to the dentist office. That’s why special needs dentistry requires a compassionate dentist and dental staff.
  • Nitrous oxide can be helpful if your child has trouble relaxing or sitting still. We also offer sedation or general anesthesia for longer treatments.
  • A familiarization visit at the dentist before any treatments begin often puts kids at ease so they know what to expect.
  • A quiet treatment room may help children with sensory and other challenges.

When you’re looking for the best kids’ dentist office in Palos Heights, you may also be looking for an experienced special needs pediatric dentist. Finding both is one place is what you’ll find at Palos Pediatric Dentistry.

Establishing Trust With Your Palos Heights Dentist

If you think your child will have a difficult time cooperating, it is a great time for you to come in! We would rather meet your little one several times for happy check-ups so that your child gets to know our office and builds trust with our team. This way, if your child is ever in need of dental treatment or has an emergency, cooperation will be easier because they will have established a level of trust with us.

The Importance of Regular Dentist Visits

For children who are inherently anxious, regular dental visits are even more important.  If we can see your child regularly for cleanings and check-ups, we can help keep your child's teeth healthy.  Healthy teeth mean fewer appointments, less invasive treatment, fewer missed days of school, no dental pain, and less anxiety about the dentist.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Richard Facko | Palos Pediatric Dentistry

Richard Facko DDS, MS

Meet Dr. Richard Facko: Your Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Richard Facko, DDS, is the founder and Pediatric Dentist at Palos Pediatric Dentistry, PC. Since founding the practice in 2013, he has been dedicated to providing a high level of care for the families in his hometown. Dr. Facko has been a pediatric dentist since 2012 and loves guiding child patients toward finding the confidence in themselves to experience the dentist without fear.

Education & Certifications

Dr. Facko's roots are in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago, where he grew up and attended Palos 128 and ...

Featured Blog Posts - Special Needs Dentistry

March 20, 2023

Dental Health for Children with Special Needs

Special needs child smiling | special needs dentist

If you have a child with special needs, you know it can sometimes be more difficult for your child to do certain things. You want what is best for your child when it comes to dental health, and so do the professionals at Palos Pediatric Dentistry in Palos Heights, IL. ...

February 16, 2021

How We Give Individualized Attention and Care to Special Needs Patients

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Every child deserves to have a healthy, happy smile. At Palos Pediatric Dentistry, we value every patient who walks through our doors, from toddlers and school-age kids to teens. All of our patients are dear to our hearts, and we tailor our dental treatments to fit each child’s individual needs. 

May 21, 2019

How to Help Your Special Needs Child with Their Oral Health

little girl with Down Syndrome smiling | Children's Dentistry in Palos Heights IL

When kids have a difficult time at the dentist office, their health may suffer long term. Studies linking poor oral health to chronic health conditions like heart disease make it more important than ever to get the special needs dentistry your child deserves in Palos Heights.

Without proper dental care, ...

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