Our Services
Comprehensive care for long-term oral health
Tailored care plans, advanced treatments and personalised strategies to achieve and maintain a healthy smile.
In special needs dentistry, one of the aims is to provide comprehensive and collaborative care that is suitable for each individual’s special needs.
Consultation
All new patients will be consulted by Dr Lydia See. She will explore in detail the factors that could be influencing each patient’s oral health condition, the type of care required and their wishes for their oral health. To get the full picture, a comprehensive medical and dental history; dental examination and any required radiographs and clinical photographs may be undertaken. After discussing and exploring your goals for dental management, as well as your available options, an individualised management plan will be provided to yourself, your carers/guardians and your referring clinician.
For your first visit, Dr Lydia allocates ample time for a comprehensive consultation. This is the time to discuss your oral health concerns and gather essential information, so please be ready with your medical summaries (including any discharge summaries or behavioural support plans), details of your current medications and information about your arrangements with your carers/guardians, as applicable.
Consultation
All new patients will be consulted by Dr Lydia See. She will explore in detail the factors that could be influencing each patient’s oral health condition, the type of care required and their wishes for their oral health. To get the full picture, a comprehensive medical and dental history; dental examination and any required radiographs and clinical photographs may be undertaken. After discussing and exploring your goals for dental management, as well as your available options, an individualised management plan will be provided to yourself, your carers/guardians and your referring clinician.
For your first visit, Dr Lydia allocates ample time for a comprehensive consultation. This is the time to discuss your oral health concerns and gather essential information, so please be ready with your medical summaries (including any discharge summaries or behavioural support plans), details of your current medications and information about your arrangements with your carers/guardians, as applicable.
Dental Managements
Preventive Care
Preventive care such as regular recalls, oral hygiene assessment, cleans and fluoride treatments are routine in special needs dentistry. Dr Lydia’s dental treatment philosophy is based on minimal intervention dentistry, where prevention is the absolute key in achieving good oral health.
Assessments and Collaboration
For complex cases, Dr Lydia will conduct thorough assessments and collaborate with other medical and allied healthcare professionals to provide interdisciplinary care, ensuring comprehensive and well-coordinated management.
Dental Treatment
Following the consultation, Dr Lydia will present a range of treatment options. Together with the patient and/or carer input, a customised plan will be created. Dr Lydia understands that comfort is crucial for successful treatment, she appreciates it when patients tell her what makes them comfortable – whether it’s music, pillows, blankets or a low-sensory environment. Happy gas and sedation are available, and for complex procedures, treatment under general anaesthesia may be discussed.
The following are some examples of the treatments and managements offered:
- Dental treatment for individuals with special needs
- Dental assessment and management for the following unique situations:
- Pre-cardiac surgery
- Pre, during and post head and neck radiotherapy
- Pre-bisphosphonate therapy commencement
- Pre-, during- and post- bone marrow transplant
- Pre- and post- organ transplant
- Bleeding conditions (such as Von Willebrand disease, haemophilia)
Tele-dentistry
In some circumstances, where there are difficulties in coming into the dental clinic, tele-dentistry can be undertaken for initial discussions and consultations. Please discuss with Dr Lydia if you would like to organise a tele-consult.
Sedation Options
Sedation options will be discussed with patients based on their medical history and dental needs. These options will be aimed at ensuring a relaxed and stress-free dental experience. The following options may be explored:
- Relative analgesia – Nitrous Oxide (Happy gas): Safe option for a relaxed and happy dental experience.
- General anaesthesia: Dental treatment under General anaesthesia is available for patients who are medically stable but unable to be treated in the dental chair. These can include patients with severe anxiety/phobia, movement disorders, and intellectual disabilities.
Oral Health Care Training and Education
Receive personalised oral health education training for carers and professionals, addressing the specific needs of the patient and promoting overall well-being. Please discuss with Dr Lydia on arranging these individualised training sessions.
For dental, medical, allied health care practices, residential facilities who wish to have further continuing education and staff training in the oral health care and management of individuals with special needs, please discuss with Dr Lydia on your training requirements.
Helping Patients with Diverse Needs
Dr. Lydia See is experienced in managing a wide range of conditions, including (but not limited to):
Post-stroke or brain injury
The rehabilitation process following acute brain injury, such as stroke, can often be frustrating for patients. A significant challenge in dentistry arises with the management of patients experiencing swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Dr. Lydia collaborates with medical professionals, allied health experts, and family members to develop strategic dental management modifications aimed at ensuring optimal and safe care for her patients.
Gentle dentistry for autism
Dr Lydia takes special care to design tailored strategies for sensory preferences and dental acclimatisation techniques to ease patients who have ASD into routine dental check-ups and simple preventive dental procedures.
Oral care for bone disease patients
For individuals with a history of treatment for bone diseases such as osteoporosis or metastatic bone cancer, including bisphosphonates and other anti-resorptive therapies, Dr. Lydia prioritises preventive oral health care. Her approach aims to optimise oral health, thereby minimising the necessity for extensive dental treatments and reducing the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).
Pre, during & post-transplant (bone marrow/organ)
As an integral step in the transplant process, oral health screening is essential to minimise potential issues that could affect the transplant’s success. Dr. Lydia conducts these assessments and collaborates with the medical team as needed. She likes to prioritise patient education, focusing on their dental care needs before and after transplantation, taking into account individual requirements and possible complications.
Dental care for bleeding disorders
Patients with bleeding conditions, like von Willebrand’s disease or hemophilias, often require special considerations before dental treatment. During consultations, Dr. Lydia collaborates with the patient and their haematologist to discuss necessary strategies. Specialised approaches are explored to address oral health concerns in individuals with bleeding disorders, ensuring personalised care.
Comfortable dentistry for cerebral palsy
For individuals with cerebral palsy, Dr. Lydia prefers to assess the severity and extent of movement difficulties, oral hygiene challenges and associated co-morbidities (such as dysphagia), ensuring that her patients are managed comfortably and safely during their dental visits.
Dementia care & oral hygiene
In caring for patients with dementia, Dr. Lydia likes to collaborate with caregivers and family members to develop personalised oral health plans, ensuring simple, tailored care for the individual’s well-being.
Relaxed dentistry for anxiety or phobia
To create a stress-free dental environment and comfortable dental experience, Dr. Lydia uses tailored techniques like chairside relaxation and sedation. She employs methods such as music and gradual acclimatisation to help anxious patients feel at ease, welcoming their input for a personalised approach to care.
Oral care for Down syndrome
Dr. Lydia considers the unique medical needs and oral health risks of individuals with Down syndrome. She collaborates with caregivers and welcomes input from patients and families to tailor treatment accordingly.
Before, during & after cancer treatment
Dr. Lydia works with oncologists to manage the oral health of patients with cancer, particularly those who have undergone head and neck radiotherapy. This collaborative effort emphasises comprehensive care, addressing potential long-term effects of cancer treatment on oral health. Dr. Lydia’s approach prioritises preventive measures and timely interventions to ensure optimal dental well-being for these individuals.
Pre-cardiac surgery
For individuals with heart disease and are about to undergo cardiac surgery (e.g. heart valve replacement), Dr Lydia emphasises preventive measures, aiming to reduce the risk of infection and promote long-term oral health. She will often consider the individual’s heart condition, medications and potential bleeding risks as part of the overall dental management.
Intellectual Disability
Dr. Lydia collaborates with carers and other allied health professionals, forming a team to address the unique challenges of caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She enjoys the process of personalising strategies aimed at achieving achievable dental goals, fostering a supportive and effective approach to care.
Immunological diseases
To safely treat individuals with compromised immune systems, Dr. Lydia has a preference to collaborate with medical professionals for comprehensive oral health care, considering specific medical needs and risks. This teamwork minimises complications and enhances patient well-being.
Psychological health conditions
Dr. Lydia adopts a patient-centred approach when treating individuals with psychiatric conditions, often incorporating trauma-informed care principles. Collaborating with the patient’s mental health care team, she aims to motivate and empower patients to take charge of their oral health, particularly during the fluctuating periods commonly experienced during mental health crises.
Palliative Care
Dr. Lydia understands how crucial it is to keep patients comfortable, free from pain, and protected from infections as they near the end of their lives. She knows how emotionally difficult this time can be for both patients and their families. That’s why she’s committed to providing gentle, thoughtful oral care that helps maintain their quality of life and allows for precious moments with loved ones, without the added worry of oral discomfort or disease.
