Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Special Care Dentistry in Peacock Point
Patients with medical, developmental or sensory needs deserve care planned around them. Peacock Point families can discuss individual support at our Port Dover office.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Caring for Peacock Point residents and cottagers at our Port Dover office
Browse every dental service for Peacock PointCare shaped around the individual
Good dental care adapts to the person in the chair.
Some patients live with conditions that make routine dental visits harder, such as autism, intellectual disability, dementia, a complex medical history, a physical disability or significant sensory sensitivity. Special care dentistry means planning the visit, communication and treatment with those needs in mind, so the person receives safe care in a way they can tolerate.
Families and caregivers from Peacock Point, whether there year-round or for part of the year, can begin planning with our Port Dover team. A conversation before the first appointment helps clarify what is possible and what support will make the visit workable.
Before booking
Begin with a picture of the person, not just the condition.
Describe a typical day and what helps
Think about what a good day looks like for the patient. What calms them, what tends to cause distress and how do they let others know they are uncomfortable? Routines, favourite objects, preferred times of day and past experiences at medical or dental offices are all useful. These practical details guide planning far more than a diagnosis alone.
Explain who makes decisions
If the patient relies on a parent, guardian or substitute decision-maker, share that information and any legal documents before the visit. Explain how the patient expresses choices, even non-verbally. The goal is to involve them as much as they are able while ensuring the right person can provide consent for treatment when it is needed.
Visit planning
Plan the logistics with care.
Choose timing and setting thoughtfully
Ask about quieter appointment times, how long the patient may need to wait and whether the room can be adapted for sensory needs. Mention mobility equipment, transfer requirements and medical devices. If the trip from Peacock Point is tiring, consider how travel time will affect the patient’s energy and mood once they arrive.
Request a familiarisation visit
For some patients, a short introductory visit with no treatment can make the next appointment easier. They can see the room, meet the team and sit in the chair at their own pace. Ask whether this approach is possible and how it might fit into a longer plan for examinations and care.
Treatment choices
Treatment plans should be realistic and achievable.
Prioritise what matters most
After an examination, ask the dentist to separate urgent needs from what can be monitored or planned later. Discuss how much treatment can reasonably be done in one visit and what the patient can tolerate. A plan that prioritises comfort and the most important problems may serve the patient better than attempting everything at once.
Understand where care can happen
Some treatment may be possible in the office with adaptations, while other care may need sedation, a hospital setting or a specialist referral. Ask the dentist to explain the options honestly, along with what each would involve for the patient and caregivers. Clear information helps families plan rather than face unexpected changes.
Daily support
Home care needs to fit real life.
Build a manageable routine
Ask for practical advice on brushing for someone who resists or cannot do it alone, such as positioning, toothbrush styles or breaking the routine into small steps. Demonstrations for caregivers can be valuable. Even partial cleaning done consistently helps, and the team can suggest priorities if a full routine is not possible every day.
Keep the team informed
Health, medications and living situations can change. Let the office know about new diagnoses, hospital stays, changes in support workers or new behaviours around eating and brushing. Regular reviews allow the plan to adapt. If the patient spends part of the year elsewhere, share records so care stays consistent across locations.
Planning your appointment
Starting the planning process from Peacock Point.
Call our Port Dover office to discuss the patient’s needs before booking. Share health information, communication preferences and any concerns so the team can explain what arrangements may be possible.
Bring medication lists, relevant medical records and consent documents, plus any comfort items that help the patient settle.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Special care questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
What information is most helpful before a visit?
Practical details matter most: how the patient communicates, what helps them feel calm, mobility and medical needs and who provides consent. These help the team plan the visit around the person rather than relying on a diagnosis alone.
Can we visit the office before treatment?
Ask the team whether an introductory visit is possible. Some patients benefit from seeing the space and meeting staff without any treatment, which can make future appointments feel more familiar and less stressful.
What if treatment cannot be done in the office?
Some care may require sedation, a hospital setting or a specialist. The dentist will explain the options and can discuss referral if appropriate, so families understand what each path involves.
How can caregivers help with brushing at home?
Ask for a demonstration and practical tips suited to the patient’s abilities. Small changes in positioning, tools or timing can make daily care more manageable. Consistent partial cleaning is still worthwhile.
Should we tell the office about changes in health?
Yes. New diagnoses, medications, hospital stays or changes in support can affect dental care. Updating the team helps keep the plan safe and appropriate for the patient’s current situation.
Support services for Peacock Point
Additional Services →Accessible Dental Care →
Mobility aids, transfers or sensory needs? Peacock Point patients can describe their access requirements before booking a visit at our Port Dover dental office.
Dental Anxiety Management →
Nervous about the dentist? Peacock Point patients can share what makes visits hard and plan comfort steps with our Port Dover team before any treatment begins.