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Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Special Care Dentistry in Silver Hill
Developmental, medical, sensory or cognitive needs shape dental care. Silver Hill patients and caregivers can learn how visits are planned around the person.
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.
Silver Hill patients are cared for at our Port Dover office
Every dental service for Silver HillCare built around the individual
Good planning starts with understanding how the person experiences care.
Special care dentistry supports people whose health, development, sensory processing or cognition affects how dental care can be given. That might include autism, intellectual disability, dementia, complex medical conditions or physical disabilities. What helps one person may not help another, so the focus is on practical details rather than a diagnosis alone.
Patients from Silver Hill and the families or caregivers who support them can speak with our Port Dover team before booking. Explaining communication, sensory and mobility needs early allows the team to discuss what can be arranged, and whether some care would be better provided in another setting.
Share the details
Practical information helps the team prepare.
Health, medicines and other providers
Provide an up-to-date list of medications, diagnoses and allergies, and the names of other health professionals involved. Mention any recent hospital visits or changes in health. If the person has had dental care elsewhere, ask for records to be sent. This information helps the dentist understand what precautions or coordination might be needed.
Communication and comfort cues
Describe how the person communicates, what signs show they are comfortable or distressed, and what helps them cope with new places. Sensory sensitivities, such as to light, noise or touch, are worth mentioning. Favourite topics, comfort items or routines that help can also guide the team in making the visit more predictable.
Plan the visit
Small adjustments can make a big difference.
Timing, length and environment
Ask about appointment times that suit the person, such as quieter parts of the day, and whether a shorter first visit is possible. Some people benefit from a visit just to see the office and meet the team before any examination. Explain mobility needs, positioning concerns and how long the person can comfortably stay seated.
Support people and consent
If a caregiver or family member will attend, explain their role and how they can best support the person. Where someone else helps with decisions, clarify consent arrangements in advance. The person’s own preferences and involvement remain important, so discuss how they can participate in decisions as much as possible.
Treatment choices
Plans should be realistic for the person and their support.
Prioritizing what matters most
After an assessment, the dentist can explain what treatment is needed, which items are most urgent and what alternatives exist. Plans should consider how much treatment the person can manage at once, the support available at home and what can be maintained over time. Sometimes simpler approaches provide more lasting benefit.
Comfort and sedation options
For some people, comfort measures such as breaks, distraction or nitrous oxide may help. Others may need deeper sedation or general anaesthesia, which is often provided in a hospital or specialist setting. The dentist will discuss whether referral is appropriate and explain the steps involved in arranging it.
Care at home
Home care plans should fit the person and their helpers.
Adapting oral hygiene
Describe what daily cleaning looks like now, who helps and what is difficult. The team can suggest adapted toothbrushes, positioning techniques or other tools, and demonstrate them for caregivers. Instructions should be realistic, so ask for adjustments if a recommended routine is not working in practice.
Keeping in touch between visits
Let the office know if health, medications, behaviour or support arrangements change before the next visit. Report signs of pain, such as refusing food, touching the face or changes in mood, which may indicate a dental problem. Regular reviews help keep the plan current and catch issues early.
Planning your appointment
Talking it through before the trip
Call our Port Dover office to discuss the person’s needs before booking from Silver Hill. Ask what information is needed and whether a preliminary visit or consultation would help plan care.
Bring medication lists, relevant medical information and contact details for other providers. Let us know who will accompany the patient and their role.
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.
Is a diagnosis enough information when booking?
A diagnosis is helpful, but practical details matter more. Explain how the person communicates, what helps them feel comfortable, mobility needs and any sensory sensitivities. This helps the team plan for the individual rather than relying on assumptions about a condition.
Can a caregiver help during the visit?
Yes, with appropriate consent arrangements. Let the team know who will attend and how they will support the person. Caregivers can share information, help with communication and learn home care techniques, while the person remains involved in decisions as much as possible.
What if the person cannot tolerate treatment in the chair?
The dentist can discuss alternatives, including shorter visits, gradual introductions or referral for treatment under sedation or general anaesthesia in an appropriate setting. Each option will be explained so families can make informed decisions.
Can home care instructions be adapted?
Absolutely. Describe what is challenging and who helps with daily care. The team can suggest tools and techniques that suit the person’s abilities and the support available, and demonstrate them for caregivers where helpful.
Should other healthcare providers be involved?
Sometimes. If medical conditions or medications affect dental care, the dentist may coordinate with physicians or specialists. Sharing their contact details helps the team plan safely and consider the person’s overall health when making recommendations.
Other individual support options
Additional Services →Accessible Dental Care →
Mobility aids, transfers, hearing or vision needs and support people can all shape a dental visit. Silver Hill patients can talk through access before booking.
Dental Anxiety Management →
Nervous about the dentist? Silver Hill patients can share what makes visits hard and plan signals, pacing and comfort options with our Port Dover team.