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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Special Care Dentistry in Selkirk
Medical, developmental or cognitive needs can change how dental care is planned. Selkirk patients and caregivers can talk through arrangements with our Port Dover team.
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.
Serving patients from Selkirk at our Port Dover office
See every service for Selkirk patientsCare shaped around the person
Good planning starts with understanding individual needs.
Special care dentistry supports people whose medical, physical, developmental, sensory or cognitive needs affect how dental care is delivered. That might include autism, intellectual disability, dementia, complex medical conditions or physical disabilities. The goal is to provide care that respects the person, adapts to their needs and involves them as fully as possible.
Families and caregivers in Selkirk can call our Port Dover office before booking to explain what support may be needed. The team can talk honestly about which arrangements can be made at the office and whether some care might be better provided through coordination with other providers or a different setting.
Before the first visit
Practical details help the team prepare.
Health and communication needs
Share the person’s medical history, medications and contact details for other health providers. Describe how they communicate, what helps them feel calm, what may cause distress and how they show discomfort. Information about sensory sensitivities, routines and previous dental experiences can help the team plan an appointment that feels manageable for that individual.
Roles of caregivers
If a caregiver or family member helps with communication or decision-making, explain their role and any consent arrangements before the visit. Discuss how the person can participate in decisions to the extent possible. Clear expectations about who will speak, who will consent and how preferences are respected help avoid confusion during the appointment.
Planning the appointment
Adjustments can make care more comfortable.
Timing, length and environment
Ask about appointment times when the office is quieter, or when the person is usually at their best. Shorter visits, breaks or a gradual introduction to the environment may help. Some people benefit from a visit just to meet the team and see the room before any treatment. Discuss what is realistic for the planned care.
Mobility and positioning
Describe mobility needs, whether the person uses a wheelchair, can transfer to the dental chair or needs support with positioning. Mention any equipment or assistance that is usually required. The team can explain what can be accommodated and whether certain treatments may need a different setting with additional support available.
Treatment decisions
Plans consider what the person can manage.
Balancing needs and options
After assessment, the dentist will explain findings and options, including how many visits each would involve and what ongoing maintenance would be needed. Sometimes a simpler or staged approach is more appropriate than extensive treatment. The aim is care that the person can tolerate, maintain and benefit from, alongside addressing clinical needs.
Comfort and sedation
Comfort measures, communication strategies and sometimes sedation may be discussed. Sedation decisions depend on health, the procedure and the setting, and may involve referral to a provider or hospital that can offer deeper sedation safely. A diagnosis alone does not determine the approach; each situation is considered individually.
Ongoing support
Daily care needs to be realistic.
Home care that works
Describe the person’s current routine, what they can do independently and where they need help. Ask the hygienist for techniques, aids or demonstrations suited to their abilities and the caregiver’s role. Electric toothbrushes, modified handles or different positions for brushing may help. The plan should be practical for everyone involved.
Keeping everyone informed
Agree on how often reviews will happen and how changes should be reported. Let the office know about new medications, health changes or changes in support arrangements before the next visit. Clear communication between the person, caregivers and the dental team helps keep care consistent and responsive over time.
Planning your appointment
Planning special care from Selkirk.
Call our Port Dover office before booking to explain the person’s needs and what support is required. Ask what information or preliminary visit would help plan an appropriate appointment.
Bring medical records, a medication list and contact details for other providers, and confirm who will attend to support the patient.
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 should I share before booking?
Share medical history, medications, communication preferences, sensory sensitivities, mobility needs and any past dental experiences. Practical details about what helps and what causes distress allow the team to plan an appointment suited to the individual.
Can a caregiver come into the appointment?
Yes. Caregivers can often help with communication and comfort. Clarify their role and any consent arrangements ahead of time. The team will aim to involve the patient as much as possible while working alongside the caregiver.
Can all treatment be done at the office?
It depends on the person’s needs and the treatment required. Some care may need a different setting, such as a hospital, or coordination with other providers. Ask early what can be accommodated so plans can be made in advance.
Is sedation available for special care patients?
Sedation may be considered depending on health, the procedure and the setting. Deeper sedation may require referral. The dentist will discuss options individually, since a diagnosis alone does not determine whether sedation is appropriate.
How can I help with home care?
Ask the hygienist for demonstrations and tools suited to the person’s abilities. Share what is difficult so advice can be adapted. Consistent, realistic routines are more effective than complex plans that are hard to follow day to day.
Other supportive services
Additional Services →Accessible Dental Care →
Mobility, hearing, vision or sensory needs can shape a dental visit. Selkirk patients can talk through access arrangements before travelling to Port Dover.
Dental Anxiety Management →
Fear of the dentist is common and worth sharing. Selkirk patients can discuss pacing, signals and comfort options with our Port Dover team before treatment.