Developmental Disabilities and Oral Health

Strategies for Providing Oral Care to People With Developmental Disabilities

To achieve and maintain good oral health, people with mild or moderate developmental disabilities often require a special approach to dental care. With some adaptation of the skills dental professionals use every day, most people with special needs can be treated successfully in the general practice setting.

The series of publications, Practical Oral Care for People With Developmental Disabilities, equips dental professionals in the community with the basic information they need to deliver quality oral health care to people with special needs. The publications present an overview of physical, mental, and behavioral challenges common in patients with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disability and offer strategies for providing oral care. Also available are a guide for caregivers that explains home-based oral hygiene for the family member or client with special needs and a publication on safe wheelchair transfer.
A two-credit-hour continuing education test for dentists and dental hygienists completes the series. (PDF File, 229KB)   

To learn more about providing oral care to people with developmental disabilities, please see the publications below:

Practical Oral Care for People With Developmental Disabilities Series

• An Introduction to Practical Oral Care for People With Developmental Disabilities
  Presents an overview of the Practical Oral Care series.
• Continuing Education: Practical Oral Care for People With Developmental Disabilities
  A free 2-hour continuing education activity 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.
• Autism
  Presents an overview of health challenges in people with autism and offers strategies for providing oral care in the general practice setting.
• Cerebral Palsy
  Presents an overview of health challenges in people with cerebral palsy and offers strategies for providing oral care in the general practice setting.
• Down Syndrome
  Presents an overview of health challenges in people with Down syndrome and offers strategies for providing oral care in the general practice setting.
• Intellectual Disability
  Presents an overview of health challenges in people with intellectual disability and offers strategies for providing oral care in the general practice setting.
• Wheelchair Transfer: A Health Care Provider's Guide
  Provides general guidance on completing a safe wheelchair transfer in the dental setting.

• Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver's Guide 
  Provides steps to maintaining good oral health for family members or clients with special needs.

Other Government Information

• MedlinePlus:  Developmental Disabilities and Oral Health
  The National Library of Medicine's compilation of links to government, professional and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on developmental disabilities and oral health.
  
• Surgeon General's Mental Retardation Initiative

NOTE: PDF documents require the free Adobe Reader .