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Special Care
It is an approach to oral health
management tailored to the individual needs of people with a variety
of medical conditions or limitations that require more than routine
delivery of oral care. Special care encompasses preventive,
diagnostic, and treatment services.
A person with diabetes who is at increased risk of gum disease, a
young child who needs dentures because of a genetic disorder, or a
person with arthritis who cannot hold a toothbrush require special
care. Standard treatment procedures can be adapted to fit most
patients’ needs and abilities. While some patients require more
specialized care, most can be treated successfully in general dental
practices.
Why do patients need special care?
Some patients need routine oral health care, but have medical
conditions or limitations that require delivery of care beyond the
routine. The dental team, for example, may need to learn to transfer a
patient with cerebral palsy from the wheelchair to the dental chair,
to use some sign language to communicate with deaf patients, or to
adapt oral hygiene devices so a patient can use them.
Other patients have medical and oral conditions that call for
extraordinary care and require oral health professionals to have
specialized knowledge. Surgical treatment of oral cancer or genetic
craniofacial defects, such as cleft lip and palate, often require
extensive reconstruction that involves many health specialists.
Further, disorders such as ectodermal dysplasia and osteogenesis
imperfecta directly affect tooth and facial development and demand
specialized treatment.
In addition, many systemic diseases and certain medical treatments
have oral health implications. Dental professionals may need to
develop a treatment strategy for a patient who has received an organ
transplant, determine the best anesthetic alternative for a patient
who has heart disease, or develop an oral health plan for a patient
who must undergo treatment for cancer.
The oral health of special care patients may be neglected because of a
demanding disease, a disabling condition, or limited access to oral
health care. The coordination of care and an understanding of special
care issues in oral health are essential for all members of a
patient’s health care team, including medical and dental professionals
and caregivers.
How can I get more information?
The National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse (NOHIC) directs
both patients and professionals to sources of information and
materials on topics relating to special care in oral health. NOHIC
maintains a computerized database that provides descriptions and
ordering information for publications and educational materials. It
also has information on organizations involved with special care. In
addition, NOHIC produces and distributes patient and professional
education materials.
NOHIC is a service of the National Institute of Dental and
Craniofacial Research, one of the National Institutes of Health. For
more information, please contact
National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
1 NOHIC Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3500
Voice: (301) 402-7364
Fax: (301) 907-8830
E-mail:
nohic@nidcr.nih.gov
Internet:
www.nohic.nidcr.nih.gov
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