Special Needs

Question 1

What are some types of special needs patients?

Answer 1

Physical

Cognitive

Mental/psychological

Sensory

Behavioral

Question 2

___ is really important for special needs patients

Answer 2

Prevention (oral hygiene)

Question 3

Nearly __% of households in the US have someone with special needs

Answer 3

20%

More than 60% of these peopl have trouble taking care of themselves

Question 4

What are the most important tools in treating a pt with SHCN?

Answer 4

Compassion and tolerance

Question 5

How should you deliver dental care to a SHCN pt?

Answer 5

Gather info (dont just go straight to their mouth)

Assess

Identify risks

Preventative care instructions

Treatment plan and implementation

Make accommodations

Consult and or refer

Question 6

True or false.. Down syndrome pts have very low pain thresholds

Answer 6

False. High pain thresholds

Question 7

What is good positioning to treat SHCN pts?

Answer 7

Standing or sitting child in front of the adult to cradle, the head with one hand and using the other to brush

Two person knee to knee

Reclined pt on the bed or floor

Coming from behind can be really useful to brush teeth

Question 8

True or false.. individuals with SHCN are at increased risk for oral disease. Yet oral health is a vital part of well-being and general health

Answer 8

True.. duh

Question 9

Tolerance level of dental procedures depends on ___

Answer 9

Severity and level of function

Question 10

How do you treat pts with mild SHCN? What about severe?

Answer 10

Mild - short appointments and immobilization and or conscious sedation

Severe - general anesthesia

Question 11

When is the use of protective stabilization indicated?

Answer 11

Immediate diagnosis and/or limited treatment

After other behavior management techniques have failed

Safety of the patient, staff, parent or practitioner would be at risk

Question 12

When is stabilization contraindicated?

Answer 12

Cooperative patient

Cannot be safely stabilized due to medical or physical conditions

Patients who have experience previous physical or psychological trauma from proctecive stabilization

Non-sedated pateints with non-emergent treatment requiring lengthy appointments

Question 13

True or false.. you should always take the first radiograph on the first visit

Answer 13

False. Sometimes the second visit is better when they are familiar with the dental office and found it a friendly place

Question 14

What does it mean to be a special needs dental patient?

Answer 14

Someone who has a limiting condition that requires health care intervention and/or use of special education servic or programs

Physical developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive or emotional

Question 15

True or false… SHCN pts have increased risk for oral disase and jeaporizes overall health

Answer 15

True

Question 16

How do you address the oral health of SHCN pts?

Answer 16

Education of parents/caregivers is critical for ensuring appropriate daily oral hygiene

Mechanical toothbrushes, sponge tips, washcloths

Calcium/fluoride toothpaste

Sealants

3 month recall

Chlorhexidine rinses

Question 17

True or false.. you can easily tell if someone has a disability because all disabilities are visible

Answer 17

False

Question 18

What should you know about your SHCN pt?

Answer 18

Evaluate and know their personal characteristics, symptoms, and behavior, and degree of physical or intellectual impairments

Question 19

Involuntary movements of the limbs and head might be perceived as ____

Intelligible speech, uncontrollable jaw movements and spastic tongue erroneously assumed to be ___

Empathy and a calm friendly professional atmosphere will decrease ___

Answer 19

Uncooperative and unmanageable pt

Intellectually delayed

Anxiety and resistance

Question 20

___ is the most desirable way to address SHCN pts. How do you do this?

Answer 20

Preventing oral disease

Establish a dental home
Determine risks
Discuss oral hygiene method for their situation

Question 21

Assessment of __ is of primary importance in behavioral management

Answer 21

Parental attitudes

Question 22

True or false.. it is important to obtain and document informed consent for protective stabilization

Answer 22

True… duhhhhhhhhh

Question 23

True or false… pts who are fed internally have increased levels of calculus

Answer 23

True