Special Need Flashcards
Role of the dental hygienist?
Recognize the physical, medical, mental, social and dental needs; monitor vitals. Communicate and adapt an appropriate treatment plan.
What’s the most common dental emergency?
Syncope due to anxiety; head down, feet up! Trendelenburg position
Signs of asthma?
Unproductive cough, dyspnea, anxiety, wheezing, cyanosis.
Assessment of asthma?
Xerostomia is common and increased risk for caries due to meds. Possible mouth breather. Epinephrine in dental emergency kits for pt with asthma.
What should NOT be used with asthma patients?
Air polisher or ultrasonic scaler, aspirin, anesthesia with epinephrine or levonordefrin due to sulfites. Nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation is recommended in patients with asthma (only respiratory condition to use nitrous oxide).
Chronic airway obstruction, etiology is smoking, genetics, severe respiratory infections in childhood, may see increased number of respiration’s in vital signs.
COPD
Over-inflation of alveoli and air sacs; dyspnea, chronic coughing w/expectoration, wheezing, barrel chest, “pink puffer”, more prevalent in older males.
Emphysema
Inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes; “blue bloater” from severe breathing and coughing attacks, “smokers cough”, more prevalent in females.
Chronic Bronchitis
How to treat COPD patients?
Treat sitting up, short appointments, and avoid nitrous, ultrasonics, power driven polisher, and rubber dam.
Transmitted by cough, sneezing or spitting. Do not treat patients when this is active.
TB; PPD(purified protein derivative) test is diagnostic skin test for TB, positive test is induration (hardness), avoid producing aerosols.
Irregular heartbeat; may be seen as an abnormal pulse. No epinephrine used and these are a contraindication for dental treatment if uncontrolled.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Requires pre med if it is artificial and include date and type of surgery.
Valve Replacement
Peripheral edema seen because cardiac output does not keep up, heart cannot meet the body’s demands; inadequate venous return (ankles swollen). If uncontrolled dental treatment is contraindicated.
CHF
Interrupted supply of blood to the heart causes death of the heart muscle. Pain, nausea, diaphoresis, dyspnea, and weakness. Postpone treatment for 3-6 months. Avoid epinephrine and maximum epinephrine per appointment: 0.04 mg.
Myocardial Infarction
Does not require pre med.
Coronary bypass surgery
Chest pain from lack of oxygen, symptoms include crushing, pressure, squeezing, may radiate to shoulders, arms and mandible.
Angina pectoris; if occure during dental appointment: one tablet of NTG every 5 mins, no more than 3 tablets in 15 mins, give only if systolic pressure is 100 or higher.
Relaxes smooth vascular tissue, acts as vasodilator, given sublingually.
Nitroglycerin
Labels as the “silent killer”, pt is at potential for stroke, MI and renal failure. Avoid sudden change of chair position, nitrous oxide is recommended, do not use air polisher due to sodium content.
Hypertension
Unilateral or bilateral loss of function; sudden weakness, difficulty in communication, unexplained dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, drop to the side of the face, tongue goes crooked and contributing factors include HTN, diabetes and coronary disease. Do not treat for six months after this.
Stroke
Causes slow movements, tremors, rigid muscles, in males (2:1), deterioration of the basal ganglia caused by lack of dopamine, tremors seen in fingers first.
Parkinson’s disease
Progressive irreversible disorder characterized by behavioral change, cognitive disturbances and confusion. Lower acetylcholine levels (memory). Short appointments, Fluoride and antimicrobials are contraindicated.
Alzheimer’s disease.
Mild: independent, forgetful, hard to remember some facts.
Moderate: longest stage, confusion, frustration, moody and withdrawn.
Severe: personality changes, difficulty communicating and full time assistance.
No eye contact; prefer routine; intraoral trauma due to self abuse behavior; increased caries; short, frequent appointments in calm environment.
Autism
Short attention spans, talkative, short appointments recommended, do not give frequent breaks, mid morning after meds is best time for appointment and Ritalin is the drug prescribed.
ADHD
Recurrent or chronic brain dysfunction. Do not sit pt. Up during, do not place tongue blade between the teeth, and gingival enlargement due to meds.
Epilepsy
How are seizures categorized?
Petit mal-mild
Grand mal-severe
Status epilepticus- continuous convulsion lasting > 5 minutes.
Sensation preceding a seizure.
Aura
Trisomy 21; incidence increases with increased maternal age, fissured tongue, macroglossia, mouth breathing, decreased dental caries, poor immunity.
Down syndrome.
Restlessness; decrease environmental stimulation, use quiet voice, simple routine, Little or no background music, increased caries due to Xerostomia.
Schizophrenia
Insomnia, decreased ability to make decisions, various pain responses, possible xerostomia from meds, avoid guilt techniques, and encourage regular exercise program.
Depression
Paraplegic; more independent, lacks trunk stability.
T-1 to T-6