Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs Children

1. Pediatric Dentistry and Special Needs Children Providing Specialized Care

2. Introduction ○ Nearly one in five children in the United States has a special health care need (SHCN). ○ These children may have physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional impairments that require specialized medical care. ○ Some children with Special need have special dental needs.

3. Purpose ○ The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the importance of providing specialized dental care to children with special need child (SHCN). ○ The presentation will cover the following topics: ■ The different types of SHCN that can affect oral health ■ The challenges of providing dental care to children with SHCN ■ The strategies for providing successful dental care to children with SHCN

4. Types of SHCN that can affect Oral Health. ● Physical disabilities: ○ Cerebral palsy ○ Muscular dystrophy ○ Down syndrome ○ Spina bifida ● Developmental disabilities: ○ Autism spectrum disorder ○ Intellectual disability ○ Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

5. ● Mental health conditions: ○ Anxiety ○ Depression ○ Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ● Sensory impairments: ○ Hearing loss ○ Visual impairment ● Behavioral challenges: ○ Fear of the dentist ○ Aggressive behavior ○ Non-compliance

6. Challenges of Providing Dental Care to Children with SHCN ● Communication challenges: ○ Children with Special Need may have difficulty communicating their pain or discomfort. ○ They may also have difficulty understanding the dentist's instructions. Behavioral challenges: ○ Children with Special Need may be afraid of the dentist or may have difficulty sitting still during a dental exam or procedure. Medical challenges: ○ Children with Special Need may have medical conditions that make it difficult to provide dental care. ○ For example, children with seizure disorders may need to be monitored closely during dental procedures. ● ●

7. Strategies for Providing Successful Dental Care to Children with SHCN ● Establish a trusting relationship: ○ It is important to take the time to build a trusting relationship with children with Special Need and their families. ○ This will help to reduce anxiety and make the dental experience more positive. ● Use a variety of communication strategies: ○ Use pictures, gestures and other visual aids to communicate with children who have difficulty understanding verbal instructions.

8. ● Be flexible and patient: ○ Be prepared to adapt your approach to the individual needs of each child. ○ Allow extra time for appointments and be patient with children who may need help to cooperate. ● Involve the family: ○ Encourage families to be involved in their child's dental care. ○ This will help to ensure that the child is comfortable and that the family understands the importance of good oral hygiene of Special Need Dentistry.

9. Conclusion ● Providing specialized dental care to children with Special Need can be challenging, but it is important to remember that these children deserve the same access to quality dental care as all children. ● By following the strategies outlined in this presentation, dentists can help to ensure that children with Special Need have a positive dental experience and that their oral health needs are met.

10. Thank You!