Introduction to Special Care Dentistry

Question 1

what are examples of special care dentistry groups?

Answer 1

• learning & physical disability
• mental health problems
• homeless, refugees and asylum seekers
• medical compromise
• older people

Question 2

what is the definition of an impairment?

Answer 2

any loss or abnormality of function (physical, physiological etc)

[impairment is considered to occur at the level of organ or system function]

Question 3

what is the definition of a disibility?

Answer 3

any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity within the ‘normal’ range for a human being

Question 4

what is the definition of a handicap?

Answer 4

a disadvantage for a given individual as a result of an impairment or a disability

Question 5

what are the main barriers to care for SCD patients?

Answer 5

• physical
• attitudinal
• people centred
• professional centres

Question 6

what are some physical disabilities?

Answer 6

• spina bifida (spinal defect)
• cerebral palsy
• arthritis
• spinal injury patients

Question 7

what are some intellectual impairment examples?

Answer 7

• down syndrome
• fragile x syndrome (genetic disorder)
• autism spectrum disorder

Question 8

what are some mental disabilities?

Answer 8

• schizophrenia
• dementia
• alzheimers

Question 9

what is a sensory disability?

Answer 9

pts who are visually or hearing impaired [can be both]

Question 10

what is a common tendency of special care dentistry patients?

Answer 10

late presentation and severe levels of disease

[xerostomia, infections, mucosal disease, malignancy, infected osteoradionecrosis]