DENTISTRY FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS

Question 1

what are the four different types of disability?

Answer 1

• physical
• sensory
• medical
• mental

Question 2

what are examples of physical disabilities you may see in children?

Answer 2

• spina bifida
• muscular dystrophy

Question 3

what are examples of medical disabilities you may see in children?

Answer 3

cardiac defects/oncology

Question 4

what are examples of sensory disabilities you may see in children?

Answer 4

• blind
• deaf
• ASD (autism spectrum disorder)

Question 5

what are examples of mental disabilities you may see in children?

Answer 5

• impaired learning ability
• ASD (autism spectrum disorder)

Question 6

what is an example of a communication aid for a patient with visual impairment?

Answer 6

Braille

Question 7

what is an example of a communication aid for a patient with hearing impairment?

Answer 7

• BSL interpreting service
• hearing loops

Question 8

what is an example of a communication aid for a patient with ASD impairment?

Answer 8

• Makaton
• Boardmaker pictures
• Widget symbols

Question 9

what is the definition of a learning disability?

Answer 9

“A state of arrested or incomplete development of mind” (WHO)

Question 10

what would the IQ classification be for a patient with a mild learning disability?

Answer 10

50-70

Question 11

what would the IQ classification be for a patient with a moderate learning disability?

Answer 11

35-49

Question 12

what would the IQ classification be for a patient with a severe learning disability?

Answer 12

20-34

Question 13

what would the IQ classification be for a patient with a profound learning disability?

Answer 13

<20

Question 14

What is Autism?

Answer 14

Lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder (spectrum disorder)
- difficulty with social interaction
- difficulty with social communication
- limited & restricted patterns in behaviour

Question 15

what are some related conditions to autism spectrum disorder?

Answer 15

• ADHD
• Down syndrome
• Dyslexia
• Dyspraxia
• Learning disability

Question 16

patients with autism spectrum disorder may dislike certain aspects of the dental surgery, what are examples of these?

Answer 16

• dental light
• noise (drills etc)
• smells
• textures
• tastes

Question 17

how might you prepare before seeing a paediatric patient with autism spectrum disorder?

Answer 17

• obtain a profile of likes & dislikes from parent/school
• send out social story explaining dental journey using PECS
• send out plastic mirror
• de-clutter & be ready and on time

Question 18

what are some dental features of down syndrome?

Answer 18

• maxillary hypoplasia
• class III occlusion
• macroglossia
• anterior open bite
• hypodontia/macrodontia
• predisposition to perio disease

Question 19

what medical problems are down syndrome patients predisposed to?

Answer 19

• cardiac defect
• leukaemia
• epilepsy
• alzheimer’s/dementia

Question 20

what are the different examination options for patients with disabilities such as down syndrome or autism?

Answer 20

• knee to knee
• on parents lap
• in wheelchair
• standing up
• sitting/lying on floor

Question 21

what are some recommended toothpastes for patients with autism or special additional needs?

Answer 21

• OraNurse Toothpaste (contains fluoride, no flavour, non foaming)
• Duraphat 2800ppm (high caries risk children aged 10+)

Question 22

in which patients should conscious sedation be avoided?

Answer 22

• those undergoing Bleomycin therapy
• those with musculo-skeletal disorders

Question 23

what are the aims when using general anaesthesia for dental treatment?

Answer 23

• atraumatic anaesthetic induction (oral midazolam)
• complete comprehensive dental treatment
• eliminate pain and infection
• establish a basis for continued preventative care