Dental care built around your child, not the other way around
A child who processes sounds differently, communicates differently, needs extra time, has limited mobility, or carries a complex medical history should not have to fit into a one-size-fits-all dental visit. Our pediatric team adapts the visit around the child: pace, language, sensory environment, positioning, behavior guidance, and, when appropriate, sedation or hospital-based care.
Educational content only. Your child's diagnosis and treatment plan require an in-person dental evaluation.
Reviewed by Dr. Gabriela Asensi, DMD, MPH · Last updated September 22, 2026
SmileWorks sees children with autism, sensory sensitivities, and developmental, behavioral, physical, and medical needs at our Tallahassee office. We schedule familiarization visits before treatment for anxious children and children with autism, parents and caregivers stay chairside, and when in-office care is not enough we can discuss sedation or hospital dentistry at TMH.
Start by telling us what works
Parents and caregivers know their child best. Before treatment, tell us about triggers, communication preferences, mobility needs, successful coping strategies, medications, medical conditions, previous dental experiences, and anything that helps your child feel safe.
That information helps us plan the visit before your family walks through the door: which room, which team members, how long, and what we will try first.
Familiarization visits and predictable appointments
For many children, success starts with reducing uncertainty. We may use tell-show-do, visual explanations, breaks, positive reinforcement, and gradual exposure to the dental environment.
We schedule familiarization visits, a short, no-treatment visit to meet the team, sit in the chair, and see the room, for anxious children and children with autism. Some children benefit from completing only a small part of the visit the first time. That can still be meaningful progress.
Early-morning appointments (from 7:00 AM) are often the quietest time of day in the office and can be a good fit for children who do better with less stimulation.
Parents are part of the team
Parents are welcome chairside at SmileWorks. For children with special healthcare needs, caregiver input can be especially valuable for communication, positioning, comfort, and understanding subtle signs of distress.
When sedation or hospital care may help
Behavior guidance is often enough, but not always. If necessary treatment cannot be completed safely or comfortably in the office, we can discuss whether nitrous oxide, oral sedation, in-office IV sedation with a pediatric anesthesiologist, or treatment under general anesthesia at TMH is the more appropriate path. Our sedation page explains each level.
Coordinating with other healthcare providers
For medically complex children, dental treatment may need to be coordinated with physicians or other specialists. We review health history carefully and may request additional information when it affects the safety or timing of care.
Questions families ask
Can we schedule a familiarization visit before treatment?
Yes. For children who benefit from seeing the environment first, we schedule a short familiarization visit with no treatment. Ask our team when you call; tell us what tends to help your child.
Can I stay with my child?
Yes. Parents and caregivers are welcome chairside.
Do you see children with autism or sensory sensitivities?
Yes. We individualize visits for children with sensory, developmental, behavioral, physical, and medical needs, and we schedule familiarization visits for children with autism.
What if my child cannot tolerate dental treatment awake?
We can discuss additional behavior-support options, sedation, and, when appropriate, anesthesia-supported or hospital-based care after evaluating your child.
Do you treat teens and young adults with special needs?
Our pediatric dentists care for children and teens. Call us to talk through your family's situation and we will point you to the right care.
Where this fits in the bigger picture
Pediatric sedation dentistry
The full continuum, from nitrous oxide to in-office IV sedation with a pediatric anesthesiologist, and when hospital care fits.
Pediatric sedation dentistry →Hospital dentistry for children
Planned treatment under general anesthesia at TMH: who it helps, how the day works, and who provides it.
Hospital dentistry for children →Tallahassee pediatric dentists
Meet the board-certified pediatric dentists and request a pediatric appointment.
Tallahassee pediatric dentists →Pediatric dental emergencies
Same-day care for knocked-out or broken teeth, toothaches and swelling.
Pediatric dental emergencies →Restorative pediatric dentistry
Fillings, SDF, crowns, pulp therapy, and extractions, matched to the tooth and the child.
Restorative pediatric dentistry →Your child’s first visit
What happens at the first appointment, what to bring, and how long it takes.
Your child’s first visit →The first goal is not a perfect appointment. It is a safe, respectful one.
Call us and tell us about your child. We will plan the first visit together.
Call to schedule pediatric visits — online booking returning soon.