Oral Health Resource List
Special Needs Fact Sheets from the University of Washington School of Dentistry
Contains fact sheets for providers and caregivers. The fact sheets cover 14 health conditions in children with mild to moderate special needs. They provide a quick overview of these conditions, the drugs frequently used by individuals with these conditions and the impact the drugs may have on oral health.
Oral Health Professional's Guide to Serving Young Children with Special Health Care Needs
This online module provides information for dental professionals to help care for children with special needs and provide services that address their unique oral health needs. Topics include: Providing Family Centered Care, Preparing Families for In-Office Procedures, Behavior Guidance, and more. This resource also includes practice handouts and forms for patients and families.
Oral Health Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Guide for Family Members/Caregivers and Dental Providers
This guide for parents and professionals includes a checklist for going to the dentist, daily oral care strategies, aversions (oral and touch), cognitive, communication and social disabilities, autism, damaging oral habits, tracheotomy, mobility and physical disabilities, seizure disorders, cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders, Down Syndrome, medication effects, and behavioral management during dental treatment.
Oral Care for People with Developmental Disabilities
This free 2-hour continuing education course is for dental professionals. Topics include the health challenges and oral health problems common in people with developmental disabilities and strategies for oral care in the general practice setting.
Practical Oral Care for People with Developmental Disabilities
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research offers a series of booklets and fact sheets on providing care for people with mild or moderate developmental disabilities for dental professionals. The series covers autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, wheelchair transfer and more.
Tips for Making an Oral Care Visit Successful for the Client with Autism
This appendix to the Autism Guidebook from Washington offers tips for dental professionals to partner with parents and prepare for dental visits with children who have autism. These tips may also be helpful in working with any child who has special needs.
Dental Office Special Needs Checklist
Parents and professionals can use this PDF checklist to explore how their dental office can accommodate a child with special health care needs. Issues to consider include: Are parents allowed in care rooms? Can x-ray equipment reach low enough for a child in a wheelchair?, Are staffed versed in alternative x-ray techniques?
Preparing Children and Their Families for the Hospital Dental Experience
This PDF list can help health professionals and families think about and prepare for a hospital dental experience.
Oral Conditions in Children with Special Needs for Health Care Providers
This guide for medical providers covers oral development, oral trauma, infections, gingival overgrowth and other considerations for children with special needs.