KCCDHN
Dental Health Care Tips for Children with Special Needs
As a parent or caregiver of a child or someone with disabilities it is important for you to know how important good oral care is for your child/patient. Make sure that you:
- Take your child/patient to the dentist regularly and frequently.
- Try the tell-show-do approach. Tell your child/patient what you are going to do before you do it. Show how you are going to do each step before you do it. Do the steps in the same way that you have explained them.
- Help your child/patient care for their own teeth. If it is helpful, assist them in using a modified toothbrush (you can put the toothbrush handle in a tennis ball or bicycle handle for easier grip, or use tape or velcro to help them hold it—or an electric toothbrush may be advisable). There are also modified flossers.
- Chose the same time, position (sitting or standing), and place (room) every day for oral care procedures. Soft light and relaxing music may help.
- Allowing the child/patient to have a comfort toy such as a stuffed animal or blanket may be helpful.
- Check with their dentist about appropriate fluoride therapies. Sealant application may also be indicated and part of a complete preventive program.
- Have the child drink lots of water throughout the day and rinse with water frequently, especially after snacks. If your child/patient cannot rinse, consider sweeping the mouth with a finger wrapped in gauze.
- Antimicrobial rinses such as chorhexidine may be recommended. However, if your patient cannot "spit," then the rinse may be applied by a toothbrush or by a spray bottle.
Remember to stay positive, patient, and determined. Making a difference in the oral health of a child/patient with disabilities may be difficult and slow, but with perseverance, you can improve not only their oral health, but their quality of life as well.
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