Atlanta, GA, Aug. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Benevis, a leading dental healthcare and orthodontic provider, announces an increase in positive patient experiences achieved through the use of barrel blankets at Creston Dental & Orthodontics’ Columbia, South Carolina practice where Dr. Alison Sheffield began to implement their use in some patients in the last year. The blankets are purposely designed to reduce stress during procedures and provide comfort to patients, particularly those with anxiety disorders, autism and other special needs.
“I wanted to have more tools in my toolbox to help our patients and meet their needs, especially those with anxiety and other special needs,” said Dr. Sheffield. He began hearing about their use at pediatric dental conferences and seeing additional research showing positive results when used, including a recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) that found heavy blankets reduced the need for protective stabilization against during minimal sedation dental visits.
The office purchased special weight-graded medical blankets made for dentistry that fit the dental chair. The practice uses various weights to match no more than 10% of a patient’s body weight and, because of this, they cannot be used with children under 30kg. They are also not used on patients who have skin conditions or who have had seizures and are disinfected with medical grade wipes between uses.
The team consults with the children’s parents and/or carers before introducing them and obtains pre-procedure permission for their use. In addition, each clinical teammate is trained in the protocols for using the blankets. Over the past year, Dr. Sheffield says the office used weighted blankets for about 75 percent of patients undergoing procedures, with limited use during hygiene appointments.
“I see a lot of special needs kids with anxiety and stress disorders. Weighted blankets help ease their anxiety so they can listen to what I have to say to pamper them. I will do everything I can to make a child more comfortable. The blanket helps reduce my patients’ anxiety when they get into the chair. It’s like they’re getting a big hug,” Dr. Sheffield said.
Creston Dental’s Columbia office sees more special needs pediatric patients than other offices. Because of this, the office has other methods to support patients with stress reduction techniques beyond heavy blankets. The team prepares and adjusts the planned treatment prior to the patient’s visit to fit each patient’s unique needs. Dr. Sheffield is committed to making everyone in her chair feel safe and comfortable.
“We have some patients who get anxious when they hear the loudest dental instruments. One patient who does is a fan of Taylor Swift, so I put her music on when the patient arrives to make them more comfortable during procedures that require the loudest dental tools Dr. Sheffield said, “We also have a bravery bell in the practice for patients to ring after their treatment to recognize their work during the appointment and reinforce positive experiences during their visit.”
Central to Benevis’ mission is ensuring that every child and family can have easy access to basic dental care. For disadvantaged families who struggle to find a dentist who accepts self-pay, Medicaid, or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) plans, finding a dentist who also supports patients with special needs can be even more of a challenge.
“We must work harder to give every child access to high-quality oral health in a compassionate and caring environment. Because of the population our supported offices serve, pediatric patients often have more complex dental needs as well as behavioral needs that can make dental care and procedures stressful,” said Benevis CEO Bryan Carey. “We welcome the efforts of Dr. Sheffield to innovate and look for new ways to meet the needs of patients and make them more comfortable so they can trust their dental practice and come back knowing they will be looked after in many ways.”
The Columbia office will continue to monitor patient and caregiver feedback related to the blankets. Their insights are being shared with other Benevis offices in 13 states and the District of Columbia to determine if they will be implemented in other locations in the future.
About Benevis
Benevis is a leading dental healthcare provider organization for practices focused on providing life-changing oral care and orthodontics to underserved communities. Through comprehensive care and functional services that expand access to dentistry, Benevis has a 20-year history of providing the highest quality care to approximately 5 million children and adults. Its network reaches more than 100 local brand-name dental offices across the US that provide treatment through 1.4 million visits each year. Benevis also supports programs and legislation that ensure all families have access to the oral care they need and deserve. For more information, visit Benevis.com.
