Oral Mech Exam Flashcards
What is the purpose of the oral mech exam?
Identify or rule out structural or functional factors that relate to a communicative disorder or dysphagia
What are we looking at with an oral mech exam?
Structural adequacy for speech and swallowing
Functional adequacy for speech and swallowing
Contributing factors to swallowing and/or communication issues
Direct treatment and/or assessment
When is an OME done?
Evaluation
New client
Concerns presented by client or caregiver
What may SLPs see when conducting an OME
Cleft lip/palate
Palatal insufficiency
Tumor
Shortened frenulum
Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)
Medical conditions
What are the must-have tools for an OME?
Gloves
Tongue depressor
Small flashlight
Tools of the OME that are nice to have
Throatscope
Toothette
Stopwatch or app for DDK
Long cotton swabs
Gauze
Small tabletop mirror
Bubbles
Balloon
Cotton Balls
For an OME, children 4-14 will do best if you ….
Model (I do, you do)
Very young children might not be compliant during OME but you can ….
Guardian can assist
Assess with food/drink
Be creative and silly
Make it a game
Make directions kid-friendly
If you cannot get a good OME, you can rely on …
Caregiver report
What are some important pediatric reflexes?
Sucking reflex: automatic sucking when lip area stroked, resolved by 4 months
Rooting reflex: when cheek is stroked, turn head towards stroke, resolved by 3 weeks
Biting reflex: clenching of jaw when jaw/teeth/gums are touched, resolved by 6 months
Vocal quality can be described as
Weak, breathy, hoarse strained
What structures of the face are examined during an OME?
Face, eyes, jaw, nose, neck, cheeks
What structures of the oral cavity are examined during an OME?
Lips, tongue, hard palate, soft palate, teeth, inner cheeks, tonsils, uvula, frenulum
What are we looking for during an OME?
Difference vs disorder
Structural disorders: changes in physiological structures
Functional disorders: reduced ROM, strength, or sensation
When looking at the facial structures look for ….
Asymmetry of face, resting position
When assessing teeth during the OME, ask the client to
Smile with and without showing teeth
What are we looking for when assessing teeth?
Checking bite, teeth missing,
What is crowding/overcrowding of teeth?
Teeth are crooked and overlapped due to lack of space in the mouth
What is overjet of teeth?
How far forward top teeth are over lower teeth in the horizontal plane
Problems with speech and eating
What is an overbite?
How much top teeth overlap bottom teeth
Can cause speech problems depending on how the teeth and tongue are affected