Dr. Yasmin on the Importance of Including Children with Determination in Mainstream Healthcare
Every child deserves access to quality healthcare that respects their dignity, addresses their unique needs, and helps them thrive. At myPediaClinic in Dubai, we are deeply committed to providing inclusive healthcare for all children, including those with special needs—often beautifully referred to as “children with determination” in the UAE. Dr. Yasmin Kottait, our dedicated pediatric dentist, is passionate about ensuring that children of all abilities receive the dental care they need in a supportive, understanding environment. This comprehensive article explores the importance of mainstream healthcare inclusion for children with special needs, Dr. Yasmin’s approach to adapting dental care for diverse abilities, and why inclusive practices benefit not just special needs children but the entire healthcare community.
Understanding Children with Determination
The term “children with determination” reflects a positive, strengths-based approach to discussing children who face various developmental, physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges. Rather than defining children by their disabilities, this terminology emphasizes their resilience, courage, and determination to overcome obstacles. This perspective aligns with modern approaches to disability that focus on abilities rather than limitations.
The Spectrum of Special Needs
Children with determination encompass a wide range of conditions and abilities. Some children have developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, or intellectual disabilities. Others may have physical disabilities affecting mobility, sensory impairments such as vision or hearing loss, or chronic medical conditions that impact daily functioning. Still others may have behavioral or emotional challenges that affect their ability to navigate typical healthcare settings.
Each child is unique, and even children with the same diagnosis may have vastly different needs, abilities, and challenges. At myPediaClinic, we recognize this diversity and approach each child as an individual, tailoring our care to meet their specific needs.
Prevalence of Special Needs in the UAE
In the UAE, as globally, a significant portion of the child population has some form of special need. Estimates suggest that approximately 10-15% of children worldwide have developmental disabilities or special healthcare needs. In Dubai’s diverse, multicultural community, healthcare providers encounter children with the full range of conditions from around the world. This reality underscores the importance of having healthcare providers who are equipped and willing to serve all children.
The Importance of Mainstream Healthcare Inclusion
Historically, children with special needs were often segregated from mainstream healthcare, either by exclusion from regular practices or by referral to specialized facilities. While specialized care certainly has its place, there is growing recognition that mainstream healthcare inclusion offers significant benefits.
Normalization and Dignity
When children with special needs receive care in the same settings as their typically developing peers, it sends a powerful message: they belong. This normalization supports children’s self-esteem and sense of identity. Being treated at a regular pediatric clinic, rather than being sent to a “special” facility, reinforces that these children are valued members of the community deserving of the same quality care as everyone else.
Reducing Barriers to Care
Segregated healthcare systems often create barriers that result in children with special needs receiving less care than they need. When families must seek specialized facilities for every healthcare need, transportation challenges, limited appointment availability, and financial barriers can lead to missed or delayed care. Mainstream practices that accommodate special needs remove these barriers, improving access to timely healthcare.
Building Community Understanding
Inclusive healthcare settings benefit not just special needs families but the broader community. When children with determination are visible in mainstream healthcare environments, it normalizes disability and builds understanding. Other families and children encounter diversity as a natural part of life, fostering empathy and reducing stigma.
Continuity of Care
Many children with special needs have ongoing healthcare requirements that span multiple disciplines. When they can access various services—pediatric medicine, dental care, nutrition counseling—at a single inclusive practice like myPediaClinic, care is better coordinated and more convenient for families. The healthcare team can communicate effectively about the child’s needs across disciplines, resulting in more comprehensive, cohesive care.
Dr. Yasmin Kottait’s Passion for Inclusive Dental Care
Dr. Yasmin Kottait brings both professional expertise and personal passion to her work with children with determination. Her commitment to inclusive dental care reflects her belief that every child, regardless of ability, deserves a healthy smile and positive dental experiences.
A Philosophy of Acceptance and Respect
At the core of Dr. Yasmin’s approach is unconditional acceptance and respect for every child who enters her care. She sees past diagnoses and labels to the individual child within—a child with preferences, fears, strengths, and a unique personality. This perspective guides every interaction, creating an atmosphere where children feel genuinely welcomed and valued.
Understanding the Unique Challenges
Dr. Yasmin recognizes that children with special needs may face unique challenges in dental settings. Sensory sensitivities may make the sounds, lights, and textures of a dental office overwhelming. Communication differences may make it difficult to understand or follow instructions. Behavioral challenges may manifest as difficulty sitting still, anxiety, or fear. Physical limitations may affect positioning in the dental chair. Medical complexities may require special precautions during dental treatment.
Rather than viewing these challenges as reasons to exclude children from mainstream care, Dr. Yasmin sees them as opportunities to adapt and innovate. With creativity, patience, and the right techniques, most children can be successfully treated in a mainstream dental setting.
Training and Continuing Education
Providing excellent care for children with special needs requires specific knowledge and skills. Dr. Yasmin has pursued specialized training in treating patients with various conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. She stays current with research and best practices through continuing education, ensuring that her approach reflects the latest understanding of how to support these children.
Adapting Dental Care for Diverse Abilities
At myPediaClinic, Dr. Yasmin and her team have developed numerous strategies for adapting dental care to meet the needs of children with determination. These adaptations address environmental factors, communication approaches, behavioral support, and clinical techniques.
Environmental Modifications
The dental environment itself can be a source of stress for children with sensory sensitivities. myPediaClinic has implemented various modifications to create a more welcoming environment. Lighting can be adjusted for children who are sensitive to bright lights. Sound levels are kept low, and noise-canceling headphones are available. Waiting areas offer quiet spaces for children who need a calmer environment. Treatment rooms are designed to minimize overwhelming stimuli while still being cheerful and child-friendly.
Pre-Visit Preparation
For many children with special needs, unfamiliar situations create anxiety. Dr. Yasmin encourages families to prepare their children for dental visits in advance. This might include reviewing social stories about dental visits, sharing photos of the clinic and staff beforehand, discussing what will happen during the appointment, and visiting the clinic for a “meet and greet” before the actual treatment appointment. These preparation strategies help children know what to expect, reducing anxiety and improving cooperation.
Communication Adaptations
Effective communication is essential for successful dental care, but communication challenges are common among children with special needs. Dr. Yasmin adapts her communication style based on each child’s needs. For children with limited verbal skills, she uses visual supports such as pictures and demonstrations. For children with hearing impairments, she ensures they can see her face when she speaks and uses written instructions when helpful. For children with cognitive delays, she uses simple, concrete language and provides information in small, manageable chunks. She also takes time to listen to nonverbal cues, understanding that children may communicate discomfort or fear through behavior rather than words.
Behavioral Support Strategies
Some children with special needs benefit from specific behavioral support strategies during dental visits. Dr. Yasmin is trained in various approaches. Tell-Show-Do technique involves explaining what will happen, showing the child on a model or demonstration, then doing the procedure. Positive reinforcement provides praise and rewards for cooperation. Desensitization offers gradual introduction to dental experiences through multiple short visits. Distraction techniques include music, videos, virtual reality, and conversation during procedures. These techniques help children feel more in control and reduce anxiety and resistance.
Physical Accommodations
Children with physical disabilities may need accommodations for comfortable, safe positioning during dental treatment. myPediaClinic can accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices. Specialized positioning aids help stabilize children who have difficulty maintaining posture. Extra time is allocated for transfers and positioning. Dr. Yasmin works with families to understand each child’s physical needs and plan accordingly.
Sedation and General Anesthesia When Needed
While many children with special needs can receive dental care with behavioral management techniques alone, some children may benefit from sedation or general anesthesia. These options allow for safe, stress-free treatment for children who cannot cooperate with awake treatment due to severe anxiety, significant behavioral challenges, extensive treatment needs, or safety concerns related to sudden movements.
Dr. Yasmin discusses all options with families, carefully weighing the risks and benefits of different approaches for each individual child. When sedation is recommended, it is provided with careful monitoring and appropriate protocols to ensure safety.
Common Dental Concerns in Children with Special Needs
Children with certain special needs may face increased risks for specific dental problems. Understanding these patterns helps Dr. Yasmin provide proactive, preventive care.
Higher Cavity Risk
Some children with special needs have increased risk for dental cavities. Contributing factors may include dietary factors such as soft food diets high in carbohydrates, difficulty with brushing and flossing due to motor challenges, medications that reduce saliva flow or contain sugar, gastroesophageal reflux that exposes teeth to acid, and behaviors such as teeth grinding or prolonged bottle or pacifier use. Dr. Yasmin works with families to develop preventive strategies tailored to each child’s specific risk factors.
Gum Disease
Children who have difficulty maintaining oral hygiene may develop gum disease. Some medications can cause gum overgrowth, further complicating oral health. Regular professional cleanings and guidance on home care adapted to the child’s abilities are essential for maintaining gum health.
Dental Trauma
Children with certain conditions may be at higher risk for dental injuries due to falls, seizures, or self-injurious behaviors. Dr. Yasmin can recommend protective devices such as mouthguards when appropriate and provides guidance on managing dental emergencies.
Developmental Dental Anomalies
Some conditions are associated with differences in dental development, including delayed eruption, missing teeth, or enamel abnormalities. Early assessment and monitoring help identify these issues and plan appropriate management.
The Role of Parents in Inclusive Dental Care
Parents of children with special needs are essential partners in their child’s dental care. At myPediaClinic, we recognize parents’ expertise about their own children and welcome their involvement.
Sharing Information
Parents know their children better than anyone. Before appointments, Dr. Yasmin invites parents to share important information about their child’s specific diagnoses and how they affect daily functioning, what helps their child feel calm and what triggers anxiety, communication style and preferences, successful strategies used by other providers, and any medical considerations such as medications, allergies, or conditions requiring antibiotic prophylaxis.
Supporting the Child During Visits
For many children with special needs, having a parent present during dental care provides crucial reassurance. Parents often know the best ways to position their child, distract them, or help them through challenging moments. Dr. Yasmin welcomes parents in the treatment room and values their support during procedures.
Home Care
Effective oral hygiene at home is essential for dental health, but it can be challenging for children with special needs. Dr. Yasmin provides guidance on adapting home care routines to each child’s abilities, recommending appropriate toothbrushes and techniques, suggesting positioning for brushing children who cannot do it independently, and helping families troubleshoot challenges they encounter.
Building an Inclusive Healthcare Team
Providing inclusive care requires a team effort. At myPediaClinic, inclusive practice is a shared value across the entire organization.
Staff Training
All staff members at myPediaClinic receive training in interacting with children who have various special needs. From the receptionist who greets families to the dental assistants who support procedures, everyone understands the importance of patience, flexibility, and respect. This team-wide commitment ensures that families feel welcomed from the moment they contact our clinic.
Collaboration with Other Providers
Children with special needs often work with multiple healthcare providers, therapists, and educators. Dr. Yasmin values collaboration and, with family consent, communicates with other members of the child’s care team. This might include coordinating with pediatricians about medical considerations, consulting with occupational therapists about sensory needs, or sharing information with school nurses about oral health. Such collaboration ensures comprehensive, coordinated care.
Learning from Every Encounter
Each child who comes through myPediaClinic teaches us something new. Dr. Yasmin and the team approach every encounter as an opportunity to learn and grow. What works brilliantly for one child may not work for another, and what doesn’t work today might work at the next visit as trust builds. This attitude of continuous learning drives ongoing improvement in our inclusive practices.
Benefits of Inclusive Healthcare for All
While the focus of inclusive care is serving children with special needs, the benefits extend to the broader community.
Better Care for Everyone
The skills developed for caring for children with special needs—patience, creative problem-solving, effective communication, flexibility—enhance care for all patients. Many techniques used to help anxious special needs children also help typically developing children who experience dental anxiety. The attentiveness required for special needs care makes providers better listeners and observers for all their patients.
Building a More Compassionate Society
When healthcare providers embrace inclusion, they model compassion and acceptance for their entire community. Families who witness inclusive practices develop greater understanding and empathy. Children who see that all people are valued, regardless of ability, carry that lesson into their lives. Healthcare settings thus become spaces where important social values are demonstrated and transmitted.
Professional Fulfillment
For Dr. Yasmin and the myPediaClinic team, caring for children with determination is deeply rewarding. There is profound satisfaction in helping a child who was once terrified of dental care become comfortable and cooperative. Knowing that our work contributes to the health, happiness, and quality of life of children who face extra challenges is a source of great professional fulfillment.
The UAE’s Vision for Inclusive Society
The United Arab Emirates has demonstrated strong commitment to supporting people with special needs and creating an inclusive society. The UAE’s National Policy for Empowering People with Disabilities aims to create a society where people with disabilities can fully participate in community life. Healthcare is a fundamental aspect of this participation.
Rights and Protections
The UAE has enacted laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including children. These laws require accessible facilities, prohibit discrimination, and mandate services that support full participation in society. Healthcare providers like myPediaClinic align with and support these national commitments through our inclusive practices.
Educational and Support Services
Dubai offers a range of educational and support services for children with special needs, from inclusive schools to specialized therapy centers. Healthcare providers who serve this community become part of the broader network supporting these children and families. At myPediaClinic, we are proud to be part of this supportive ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inclusive Dental Care
Does myPediaClinic have experience treating children with autism?
Yes, Dr. Yasmin Kottait and the myPediaClinic team have significant experience caring for children on the autism spectrum. We understand the sensory sensitivities, communication differences, and need for predictability that many children with autism experience. Our approach includes environmental modifications to reduce sensory overload, visual supports for communication, gradual desensitization when needed, and flexible scheduling to accommodate each child’s needs. Many children with autism thrive at our clinic once we establish rapport and develop strategies tailored to their specific preferences.
What should I tell you before my special needs child’s first appointment?
We appreciate any information that helps us prepare to care for your child. Please share your child’s diagnosis and how it affects their daily functioning, any sensory sensitivities or triggers, what helps your child feel calm and what causes anxiety, how your child communicates best, any medical considerations (medications, allergies, conditions requiring special precautions), previous dental experiences and how they went, and strategies that have worked well with other providers. You’re welcome to call before the appointment to discuss these details or request a pre-visit consultation.
Can you accommodate children who use wheelchairs?
Yes, myPediaClinic is accessible for children who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Our facilities are designed for wheelchair accessibility. Depending on your child’s needs and preferences, dental treatment can be provided with the child remaining in their wheelchair or after transfer to the dental chair with appropriate assistance. Dr. Yasmin will discuss positioning options with you to ensure your child’s comfort and safety during treatment.
What if my child cannot cooperate for dental treatment?
Many children who initially seem unable to cooperate can be successfully treated through gradual desensitization and behavioral techniques. Dr. Yasmin takes a patient approach, building trust over multiple visits if needed. For children who cannot safely receive treatment while awake despite these efforts, sedation or general anesthesia may be recommended. These options allow necessary dental care to be completed safely and without distress. Dr. Yasmin will thoroughly discuss all options, including risks and benefits, to help you make the best decision for your child.
Do you offer longer appointment times for special needs children?
Yes, we recognize that children with special needs often benefit from extended appointment times. Longer appointments allow for unhurried transitions, additional time for desensitization and behavioral management, breaks when needed, and thorough communication with parents. When scheduling, please let us know if your child has special needs so we can allocate appropriate time. We would rather schedule adequate time upfront than have a rushed, unsuccessful visit.
Can a parent stay with the child during dental treatment?
Absolutely. We welcome and encourage parents to stay with their special needs children during dental appointments. Parents often provide invaluable support, helping their child feel secure and offering insights that help us provide better care. You know your child best, and your presence can make a significant difference in how well the appointment goes. For some procedures, we may discuss optimal positioning of the parent to support the child while allowing the dental team to work safely.
How often should my special needs child have dental checkups?
Children with special needs often benefit from more frequent dental visits than the typical six-month interval. Depending on your child’s oral health status, risk factors, and ability to maintain home care, Dr. Yasmin may recommend checkups every three to four months. More frequent visits allow for earlier detection of problems, help maintain good oral hygiene, and provide more opportunities for your child to build comfort with the dental setting. Dr. Yasmin will recommend a visit schedule tailored to your child’s needs.
What is a desensitization visit?
A desensitization visit is a planned appointment focused on helping your child become comfortable with the dental environment before actual treatment occurs. During these visits, we might let your child explore the office, sit in the dental chair, meet the staff, and try dental tools in non-threatening ways (like using the suction on their hand). There’s no pressure to accomplish treatment during these visits. The goal is to build positive associations and trust so that future treatment visits go smoothly. Desensitization may require multiple visits for some children.
How do you handle dental emergencies for special needs children?
Dental emergencies can happen to any child, including those with special needs. If your child experiences a dental emergency such as a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, or dental trauma, contact myPediaClinic immediately. We prioritize emergency cases and will work to see your child as quickly as possible. If an emergency occurs outside of regular hours, our messaging system provides guidance on what to do until you can reach us. For children with special needs, having an established relationship with a dental provider like myPediaClinic makes emergency care easier, as we already understand your child’s needs.
Do you work with children’s therapy teams?
Yes, we value collaboration with the therapy teams and other providers who support children with special needs. With your consent, Dr. Yasmin can communicate with your child’s occupational therapists, speech therapists, behavioral therapists, or other providers to coordinate care. Therapists may have insights about sensory preferences, communication strategies, or behavioral approaches that can improve dental visits. We’re also happy to provide information to therapy teams about oral motor considerations or oral hygiene techniques that therapists can reinforce.
Stories of Success: Children Thriving at myPediaClinic
The true measure of our inclusive approach is the success we see in the children we serve. While respecting privacy, we can share that children who were once terrified of dental care have become comfortable, even cheerful, during their appointments. Children whose parents were told “no one will treat them” have found a dental home where they are welcomed and cared for. Families who dreaded dental visits now approach them with confidence.
These successes don’t happen overnight. They require patience, persistence, and partnership between the dental team and families. But when a child who once screamed at the sight of a toothbrush opens their mouth willingly for an examination, or when a teenager with significant disabilities gets through a filling without sedation for the first time, the joy is immense—for the child, the family, and our team.
Dr. Yasmin’s Message to Families
Dr. Yasmin Kottait has a heartfelt message for families of children with determination: “Your child deserves excellent dental care, and I am committed to providing it. I know that healthcare visits can be challenging, and you may have experienced rejection or frustration in the past. Please know that at myPediaClinic, your child is welcome. We will meet your child where they are, adapt our approach to their needs, and work patiently to provide the care they deserve. Together, we can help your child achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.”
Creating a Future of Inclusive Healthcare
The work of inclusive healthcare extends beyond individual practices to shape the future of medicine. As more healthcare providers embrace inclusion, the landscape changes for children with special needs and their families. At myPediaClinic, we see ourselves as part of this broader movement toward a healthcare system that truly serves everyone.
We are committed to continued learning and improvement in our inclusive practices. We share our approaches with colleagues, advocate for inclusive care in our professional communities, and strive to be a model for what healthcare can look like when all children are valued.
Experience Inclusive Care at myPediaClinic
If you have a child with determination who needs dental care—or any of our pediatric services—we invite you to experience the myPediaClinic difference. Our team, led by Dr. Yasmin Kottait, is ready to welcome your family with open arms, open minds, and the commitment to provide the excellent care every child deserves.
Whether your child has complex special needs or simply requires a little extra patience and understanding, you’ll find a healthcare home at myPediaClinic. We believe in your child’s potential, and we’re honored to be part of their healthcare journey.
Contact myPediaClinic today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Yasmin Kottait. Call us, book online, or reach out via WhatsApp. Every child belongs here, and we can’t wait to meet yours.
