Special Care Flashcards
What is the definition of a learning disability?
a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills & reduced ability to cope independently
IQ less than 70
How many people in the UK have a learning disability?
1.5 million, 350,000 severe
What are the clinical features of a learning disability?
epilepsy
visual defects
hearing and speech disorders
facial deformities
body-rocking and self-mutilation
feeding difficulties
What are the causes of learning disabilites?
genetic
problems during pregnancy
problems during birth
post-natal problems
What is the most common cause of Down’s Syndrom?
Trisomy 21 (extra chromosome)
What are the physical features of Down’s Syndrome?
atlanto-axial joint instability
short stature
brachycephaly
widely spaced upward slanting eyes
weight gain
brushfield spots
What health conditions are associated with Down’s Syndrome?
cardiac problems
spinal problems
malignant disease
dementia
immune disease
hearing loss
visual defects
seizures
What are the oral features of Down’s syndrome?
large tongue
thick, dry and fissured lips
poor anterior oral seal
tongue thrust
early onset perio disease
cleft lip and palate
malocclusion
delayed eruption
missing teeth
morphological abnormalities
What are dental aspects of fragile X syndrome?
short attention span
hyperactivity
behavioural disorders similar to autism
abnormally frequent open bite and crossbite
What is Cri du chat Syndrome?
deletion short arm of chromosome 5
What are the features of Cri du chat syndrome?
high pitched cry
microcephaly
micrognathia
wide set eyes
webbing or joining together of fingers and toes
slow development of motor skills, speech and language
How is autism spectrum disorder characterised?
poor social skills
lack of interpersonal relationships
delayed speech and language
ritualistic, compulsive behaviour
what is the clinical presentation of autism?
lives in ‘own’ world
avoid eye contact
echolalia
unaware of others
practice repetitive actions
obsessional desire to follow routine
self-mutilation
sensitivity to touch, smell and sound
what are the oral findings in autistic patients?
bruxism
traumatic lesions
poor OH
poor attendance
prefer sweet foods
how should you manage autistic patients?
patience
empathetic approach
OHI and support
pre-visit pack and questionnaire
short, quiet visits with same staff
avoid aspirator, high speed, etc
pain and anxiety control
what is a sensory impairment?
when one or more of a person’s senses are no longer normal
how many people are registered blind in the UK?
358,000
what are the symptoms of visual impairment?
reduction or loss of vision
eye pain
burning sensation
gritty feeling
blurring of vision
what are the causes of visual impairment?
glaucoma
cataract
macular degeneration
diabetic retinopathy
trachoma
what causes glaucoma?
a rise in intraocular pressure
what is a cataract?
clouding of the lens in the eye
describe the effects of wet macular degeneration
severe sight loss in a matter of months
rapid loss of central vision
describe the effects of dry macular degeneration
bilateral
gradual loss of central vision
what conditions cause retinopathies?
diabetes
hypertension