Abstract
Children with special health care needs (SHCN) are at a heightened risk of developing chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or cognitive conditions that significantly affect their oral and general health. These children often encounter significant barriers to receiving adequate dental care, which contributes to neglected oral health needs. Common challenges include increased risk of dental diseases due to medication use, oral hygiene difficulties, and dietary restrictions. Newer strategies aimed at overcoming these barriers include the use of dental social stories, desensitization techniques, and teledentistry.
Social stories offer a structured way for parents to help prepare children for their dental visits. Desensitization involves gradual exposure to dental settings and has shown promise in helping children with SHCN tolerate dental procedures. Additionally, the role of teledentistry is explored as a tool to improve access to care as well as to pre-triage SHCN patients. Through understanding and addressing the specific challenges faced by children with SHCN, dental providers can improve the overall well-being of these patients.
Recommended Citation
Bergeron, Hannah D.M.D., M.S.; Tsai, Chia-En D.D.S.; Anovazzi, Giovana D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D.; and Boynton, James R. D.D.S., M.S.
(2025)
"Approaches to Care for Children with Special Needs in Dental Settings: Desensitization and Teledentistry,"
The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association: Vol. 107:
No.
1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/journalmichigandentalassociation/vol107/iss1/9
Included in
Dental Public Health and Education Commons, Pediatric Dentistry and Pedodontics Commons, Telemedicine Commons
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