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| COMMENTARY |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 1 | Page : 16 |
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Special oral health care needs for special children
Mohammad Akheel
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| Date of Web Publication | 21-Jun-2013 |
Correspondence Address:
Mohammad Akheel
Block 5, 4H, VGN laparasiene, Nolambur, Mogappair west, Chennai - 600 037
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
How to cite this article:
Akheel M. Special oral health care needs for special children. Int J Stud Res 2013;3:16 |
The article "Oral Health Status of Special Health Care Needs Children Attending a Day Care Centre in Chennai" in the previous issue enlighten as the utmost need for special oral healthcare for special children. This article concludes that most of these special needs children suffer from poor oral health. Approximately 18% of Indian children and youth require a special oral healthcare need. Many of these conditions, including mental retardation, autism, delayed development, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, craniofacial abnormalities, and seizure disorders, can impact a child's oral health and psychological status and are often neglected by the society. [1],[2] By understanding the potential barriers to oral healthcare and the consequences of poor oral health in children with special healthcare needs, medical health professionals can identify patients who are at risk, provide anticipatory guidance, refer to appropriate dental professionals, assist and counsel patients and families in overcoming barriers for accessing and utilizing care. [3]
In India, dental care is the most common unmet need in the special needs population. Children with special needs require utmost care twice as likely than their aged matched peer who are normal. Hence, by this manuscript we understand the need to provide special oral healthcare for the special children.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Anders PL, Davis EL. Oral health of patients with in tellectual disabilities: A systematic review. Spec Care Dentist 2010;30:110-7. 
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| 2. | Lewis CW. Dental care and children with special health care needs: A population-based perspective. Acad Pediatr 2009;9:420-6.
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| 3. | Nowak AJ, Casamassimo PS, Slayton RL. Facilitating the transition of patients with special health care needs from pediatric to adult oral health care. J Am Dent Assoc 2010;141:13516.
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