A Guide for Dentists

What Can Dentists Do?
Understanding Is the Key
Their Dental Needs
Serving Your Patients
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People with developmental disabilities are increasingly living and working in the community and are using local services. Health care professionals offer a vital service to all members of the community, including those with developmental disabilities. According to researchers, dental treatment is the greatest unmet health need of people with disabilities.

Oral hygiene is particularly important for people with developmental disabilities. They may need adaptive equipment and training in order to be responsible for their own dental care. Some will always be dependent on others to care for their personal hygiene.

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When meeting a person with a developmental disability for the first time, you may not be sure how to interact with them. However, once you get beyond this "barrier," you will be able to see the individual as a person who has particular needs and interests.

• Talk to the person who has the disability , not just the person who happens to be with them.
• Don't be embarrassed to ask them to repeat themselves if you cannot understand what they are saying.
• If you cannot make yourself understood, use shortened sentences, single words and gestures to help them understand.
• If the person has a physical disability, they may need some assistance. Feel free to ask them if you can help.
• Remember: we're ALL PEOPLE first!

As an individual, you can fight against the negative stereotyping of people with developmental disabilities. You can correct any misunderstandings by giving accurate information to your friends or relatives.

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People with developmental disabilities are individuals whose disabilities include a variety of mental and physical impairments such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and autism.

Although people with developmental disabilities present no more of a risk of developing cavities than people without disabilities develop, the incidence of periodontal disease and malocclusion is higher.

Incidence of malocclusion is greater for individual with severe disabilities and for individuals with neuromuscular deficiencies of the head and neck.

Most children with developmental disabilities have what is considered normal dentition. However, the lack of appropriate dental care takes on a devastating effect late in life.

Early identification and proper treatment of initial dental disease will curtail the onset of later problems.

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Dentists and dental hygienists can be instrumental in providing parents and caretakers with the necessary information on the latest techniques that will help them maintain a good oral hygiene program with an individual.

Specific techniques and suggestions include:

• Arrange for short, initial visits to increase an individual's attention and decrease any fear.
• Explain each step of the procedure to the patient to help ease any uncertainty they may have.
• Minimize distractions. Use a calm, reassuring voice that will contribute to a relaxed atmosphere.
• Toothbrushes equipped with a bicycle handlebar grip or tennis ball may assist an individual who has difficulty grasping.
• Attend a session at your next professional conference on the needs of people with disabilities. Suggest needed research based upon your experiences.
• Advocate for a total health care approach, including dental health, which considers all health care professionals as members of a team working cooperatively and in a coordinated fashion.
• Refer families, caretakers and teachers to the resources currently available, which will assist them with many of their concerns.

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For More Information

Academy of Dentistry for
People with Disabilities
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-2660

National Foundation of
Dentistry for the Handicapped
250 14th Street, Suite 610
Denver, CO 80202

American Dental Hygienists' Association
444 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-8900

Metropolitan Council On Developmental Disabilities
821 E Admiral Blvd
PO Box 4125577
Kansas City, MO 64141
(816) 889-3422
(816) 883-3326 TDD
(816) 889-3325 Fax
mcdd1@kcnet.com

Prepared by Metropolitan Council on Developmental Disabilities. Paid for through a grant from Ewing M. Kauffman Fund and Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

Our thanks to the A R C of Oregon for providing the model for this series of brochures.

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