for the Oral Health
of Individuals with
By Alicia Risner-Bauman, DDS, FADPD, DABSCD
For the last 25years I have
treated individuals with special
needs. My guess is that most
of you have as well, although
you may not have realized it
at the time.
“Special Needs Patient” is used in the
oral health field to describe an individual
with special needs, including physical,
medical, developmental and/or
cognitive conditions, resulting in
limitations in their ability to receive
dental services and prevent oral
diseases by maintaining daily
oral hygiene. 1
10
MA R CH/A P R I L 2020 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L
Our child patients, geriatric patients,
and fearful patients can all meet this
definition.
The Pennsylvania 2010 census data
indicated that over 5,000,000 households
included people over 60 years of age;
there were over 600,000 people over
5 years old with an independent living
difficulty; and over 316,000 people
with self-care limitations in non-
institutionalized settings. 2 Where
should these half a million people go
for dental care if not to your office?
What about the adults in your care
already who may become that geriatric
patient in the next 10 years? Should we
dismiss a patient who finds themselves
on more than five medications for five
different medical issues? Of course not!
So, why the great mystery or refusal to
treat some of the most vulnerable
individuals in our community because
they are classified as “special needs?”
With the deinstitutionalization of
individuals into group homes, more
people living at home, and the
Americans with Disabilities Act,
providers in general practice are finding
that individuals with special needs are
seeking care in general practice settings.