Oral Health

Introduction

Children with special health care needs are at higher risk than the general population for oral health problems.

• Routine self-care may be difficult or impossible for a child, e.g. due to motor disability such as seen in spastic quadriplegia or due to cognitive or behavioral impairment.
• The underlying disease may impact oral health, such as with cleft lip and palate or leukemia.
• The treatment of a chronic disorder may lead to secondary oral health problems, such as gingival hyperplasia with anticonvulsants, methotrexate, immunosuppressants and calcium channel blockers.

In surveys of the special needs population, parents and families identify dental care as the most common unmet health care need for their children.

How Can the Primary Health Care Provider Help Optimize Oral Health?

• Emphasize prevention
  • Reinforce the importance of daily oral care
  • Provide handouts and brochures on how to maintain oral hygiene
    • Oral Health Promotion Cards (English and Spanish) for different age groups from the Washington State Department of Health
  • “Innoculate against cavities” by reviewing fluoride exposure and supplementing when indicated
  • Review diet and feeding practices for behaviors and habits that create a high risk for developing caries or gingivitis
  • Review medications and dosage regimens to minimize oral health side effects

• Monitor interactions of oral and systemic health; Recognize implications of poor oral health relative to overall health across the lifespan – Further information
• Link patients with dental providers and reinforce the importance of dental health maintenance
  • Finding Dental Care
    • Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) Programs in Washington State
      • Program sites
      • Program information
    • WithinReach Family Health Hotline – 1-800 322-2588 and www.ParentHelp123.org website (including dental resources)
    • Finding a Pediatric Dentist – national list from American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

• • • Address oral health on the community level whenever possible
      • General oral health promotion
      • Local water fluoridation
      • Access to dental care

Helpful Resources

For the Health Care Provider

• Special Needs Oral Health Fact Sheets
  • Fact sheets for 14 mild to moderate manifestations of special needs conditions have been developed for Dental and Medical Professionals, as well as for families.
  • Content for the fact sheets were developed by a group of experts affiliated with the University of Washington School of Dentistry and the Washington State Department of Health – Oral Health Program.
• Oral health information at the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Oral Conditions in Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Guide for Health Care Providers
  • One page handout with color photos showing what the conditions look like. From the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Practical Oral Care for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
• Oral Health Practice Tools – American Academy of Pediatrics
• Bright Futures: Oral Health Pocket Guide, 3rd Edition
• Dental Home Resource Center – American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

For Families

• Dental Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs – from the Center for Children with Special Needs
• Special Needs Oral Health Fact Sheets for Parents and Caregivers
  • Fact sheets for 14 mild to moderate manifestations of special needs conditions.
  • Content for the fact sheets were developed by a group of experts affiliated with the University of Washington School of Dentistry and the Washington State Department of Health – Oral Health Program.
• A Guide to Good Oral Health for Persons with Special Health Care Needs
  • From the Special Olympics, Special Smiles

Further Information

The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center at Georgetown University

• National center serving the maternal and child health community with high-quality oral health technical assistance, training, and resources – Family materials (English and Spanish), tips on integrating oral health into primary care, policy briefs and more.