Children with Special Needs Flashcards
What are “special needs”?
Huge range of diagnoses and disabilities
Individuals who require special help or care
In children the main causes of disability are genetic and congenital
4.3% of the paediatric population.
Who looks after the teeth of children with a mild disability?
GDS
Non specialist led PDS
Specialist service for access to treatment planning or advanced behaviour management.
Who looks after the teeth of children with a moderate to severe disability?
Specialist led PDS
HDS
Shared care HDS/GDP or PDS/GDP.
What are the dental implications for children with special needs?
Fewer teeth
More untreated dental caries
Greater prevalence of periodontal disease
Dental fear and anxiety
More barriers to delivery of dental care.
What are the impacts of dental disease in children with special needs?
Delayed diagnosis Delayed management More multidisciplinary planning Greater risk of pain/sepsis Reduce quality of life.
How do you manage saliva drooling?
Speech and language therapy (improve lip seal and swallow)
Pharmacology (scopolamine/hyoscine patch, botox injections)
Surgical.
What are some barriers to mouth care for a child and adult?
Child- Manual dexterity issues, involuntary movements, oral aversion, gag reflex issues, challenging behaviour and sensory issues
Adult- manual dexterity issues, anxiety/fear, revulsion/aversion to body fluids, unable to access oral cavity, exhaustion and lack of time.
What are some barriers to dietary changes?
Atypical food clearance Food holding/regurgitation Restricted/limited diet Pureed foods Fortified foods Sugary medicines Food treats used as rewards.
What are the four categories of types of disability?
Physical
Medical
Sensory
Mental.
What is cerebral palsy?
Most common physical disability in childhood
It affects movement and posture
Occurs from brain damage before during or shortly after birth
People with CP may also have visual, hearing, learning, speech and epilepsy.
What are the three types of cerebral palsy?
Spastic
Athetoid
Ataxic Rigid Mixed.
What are the dental features and considerations of a Cerebral Palsy patient?
Poor OH Gingival hyperplasia Enamel hypoplasia Bruxism Malocclusion Dental trauma Drooling Access Uncontrollable movements Enhanced gag reflex.
What is the normal incisal relationship for a cerebral palsy patient?
Class 2.
What are barriers to regular dental attendance for a Cerebral Palsy patient?
Other appointments- collaborate and plan
Challenging behaviour- empathise, understanding, reassure, support, plan ahead etc
Parking- plan ahead, DDA 1995, EA 2010
Frequent illness- empathise and support
Parental attitudes- influence positive change and promote good knowledge.
What are barriers to mouth care for a Cerebral Palsy patient?
Manual dexterity issues Involuntary movements Oral aversion Gag reflex issues Challenging behaviour Sensory issues.
What are barriers to dietary change for a patient with Cerebral Palsy?
Atypical food clearance Food holding Restricted diet Pureed foods Fortified foods Sugary medicines Food treats used as rewards.
What are some solutions to dietary changes in a patient with Cerebral Palsy?
Collaborate, empathise, don’t judge, support, understand
Consider additional mouth care
Consider prescribing toothpastes
Set achievable realistic goals
Work with other health care professionals.
Why is advanced prevention important for CF patients?
They might not be able to absorb foods properly which leads to malnutrition.