Establishing an oral care routine at home and visiting the dentist can be challenging for persons with special health care needs. The Canadian Dental Association has developed resources for parents, caregivers and the dental team who care for persons with special health care needs.
These materials are aimed at providing basic oral health care for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer's and Dementia and to make their experiences more successful. These resources may also be helpful to individuals who care for persons with other special health care needs.
For Parents and Caregivers
This printable resource is designed to:
- provide parents and caregivers with tips on how to make oral health care at home as easy as possible
- help parents and caregivers prepare for a visit to the dentist
- provide parents and caregivers with information on how to begin and maintain an oral care routine at home
The dental office may ask you to complete a pre-visit questionnaire before the appointment takes place. The purpose of this type of form is to share important details about your loved one's medical history, oral care routine, diet preferences, communication abilities and sensory sensitivities with the dental team. This questionnaire is intended to capture information about pediatric patients, but it can also be used or adapted for adult patients with special health care needs.
For the Dental Team
This printable resource is designed to:
- help dental professionals prepare to receive a new patient
- give dental professionals general guidance on providing basic oral health care
- help dental professionals make the dental visit as comfortable as possible for the patient
To facilitate patient information intake, dental professionals may consider providing the parent/caregiver with a pre-visit questionnaire to complete before the appointment takes place. There are many intake forms available to use and adapt to your dental practice. The purpose of this form is to share important details about the patient's medical history, oral care routine, diet preferences, communication abilities and sensory sensitivities with the dental team. This questionnaire is intended to capture information about pediatric patients, but it can also be used or adapted for adult patients with special health care needs.
