Going to the Dentist
Taking a child with autism to the dentist can be a stressful experience.  Here are some tips that may help:

1.  Choose a dentist who is willing to work with you.  Remember to a) schedule appointments for slow times of day and b) request a mouth mirror, x-rays and polishing supplies to practice at home ahead of time. 

2.  Use reinforcements and communication tools that work for your child. 

3.  Teach your child pre-requisite skills before visiting the dentist such as
a) learning to open his mouth for 10 seconds, b) following simple instructions such as "lay down", "hands down" and "open mouth."  

4.  Talk to the dental staff about ways to interact with your child before the visit.  For instance, inform the staff if your child dislikes when his mouth is touched.  

5.  Create and use tools to prepare your child for the visit such as visual schedules, models and social stories.  

6.  Practice good oral hygiene at home - thoroughly brushing teeth daily.  

7.  Use positive language when discussing the dentist, such as a) "You'll get a ride in the chair!", b) "You'll have super clean teeth!", c) "It will be fun!".  

(Tips provided by: Anthony Cuvo, Ph.D. & Ronda DeMattei, R.D.H., M.S. Ed., The Autism Program, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Regional
Training and Service Center)

The Safety of Fillings
There has been a debate raging in the dental community for quite a while as to whether or not silver fillings are harmful to our overall health.  Some believe silver fillings are toxic and harmful to our teeth and the nervous systems of developing children.

In Tennessee
Davidson County
Brandon Hodge, D.D.S.
200 Gleaves Street, Suite B
Madison, TN 37115
Phone: 615-865-4051

Knox County  

Smiles of Chattanooga
Robert J. Gallien, DDS
4620 Hwy 58
Chattanooga, TN 37416
Phone: 423-894-5725
Email: DrGallien@SmileChattanooga.com

Sumner County
Andrew R. Cox, D.D.S.
107 Glen Oaks Boulevard
Suite 102
Hendersonville, TN  37075
Phone:  615-826-9933
Email:  drandy27@bellsouth.net

Wm Taylor, D.D.S.
Just4KidsTeeth
131 Indian Lake Boulevard
Hendersonville, TN  37075
Phone:  615-824-1700
Email:  smile@just4kidsteeth.com

Williamson County

Natural Family Dentistry 

Graham B. Burcham, D.D.S.
216 3rd Avenue North
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: 615-595-6111

Out-Of-State Amalgom-Free Dentists
Donald Robbins, DMD, LLC
340 N. Pottstown Pike (Route 100)
P.O. Box 449
Exton, PA 19341
Phone: 619-363-1980
Fax: 610-363-7798

Web Links:
Fluoride Action Network 
Consumers for Dental Choice