An El Paso dental clinic is redefining what it means to make every child feel seen and safe.

At The Croc Doc: Dentistry Just for Kids, inclusivity is at the heart of every visit. The East El Paso practice has a dedicated program for children with special needs, providing families with resources, flexible treatment options, and a supportive environment designed to reduce anxiety.

Parents of kids with autism are often nervous. They worry how their child will behave or how they’ll be treated,” said Dr. Amir, pediatric dentist at The Croc Doc. “That’s why we offer specialized care and sedation options to make everyone comfortable.

The clinic even has a webpage entirely devoted to children with special needs, featuring resources for parents and guidance for first-time visits.

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Inside the building, every detail is intentional, from the colorful walls and overhead TVs to the private sensory-friendly rooms where families can dim the lights, close the door, and take a moment to relax.

“We have rooms designed just for kids who need a quieter space,” Dr. Amir explained. “Everything is set up to help them feel safe and relaxed.”

The Croc Doc also offers several sedation levels to fit each child’s comfort and medical needs, from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild anxiety to oral sedation, a juice-like medication that helps children relax while remaining awake.

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For patients who require additional support, the clinic provides general anesthesia administered by a certified anesthesiology team, ensuring complex procedures can be completed safely and without distress.

“Sometimes kids are anxious or uncooperative. That’s when we use options like laughing gas, oral sedation, or general anesthesia to help them through it safely,” said Dr. Amir.

Dr. Amir said inclusive dental care is about much more than procedures. It’s about compassion and understanding.

We had a mom cry after her child’s first exam,” he shared. “She told us no one had ever even looked in his mouth before because of his behaviors.

He encourages parents not to delay dental visits, explaining that early care prevents more serious issues down the road and that every child deserves to be treated with patience and dignity.

For more than a decade, The Croc Doc: Dentistry Just for Kids has served El Paso families from infancy through adulthood, creating a welcoming environment where every child can smile confidently.

You can learn more about The Croc Doc’s special-needs program and find their resource page by clicking here.

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