Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 3

“The working group has been working towards these brochures and other related projects since I joined as committee chair in 2015,” explains Dr. Heather Carr, CDA vice-president and chair of CDA’s National Coordinating Working Group on Access to Care for Children and Seniors. “We quickly realized that research was needed to determine exactly what information Canadian dentists required. It was decided to focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer’s and Dementia as a starting point.” dental visit as comfortable as possible for the patient. It’s intended to capture information about pediatric patients, but it can also be adapted for use with adult patients with special health care needs. The brochure for parents and caregivers provides useful tips on how to make oral health care at home as easy as possible for persons with intellectual and cognitive disabilities, and helps parents and caregivers prepare for a visit to the dentist. The brochure contains information on how to begin and maintain an oral care routine at home. “As a practitioner, I regularly provide care for patientswith Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. In most cases, these patients are easily treated in general practice with minor modifications,” adds Dr. Carr. “These brochures provide useful tips and valuable information. They were made possible by the collaborative efforts of all members of the working group, including Dr. Clive Friedman, a community-based pediatric specialist with significant expertise in working with persons with special health care needs, who helped inform the content of these resources at every stage.” The Getting Started resources are available to download at cda-adc.ca/specialneeds . These webpages also include other links to patient information resources on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The brochure for dentists and the dental team provides general guidance to assist dental professionals in providing basic oral health care for patients with special health care needs, helps the team prepare to receive a new patient, and helps them make the dental visit as comfortable as possible for the patient. To facilitate patient information intake, dentists can provide the parent or caregiver with a pre-visit questionnaire to complete before the appointment. 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 information will help the dental team prepare to make the Dentists can provide the parent or caregiver with a pre-visit questionnaire to complete before the appointment […] this information will help the dental team prepare to make the dental visit as comfortable as possible for the patient. As a practitioner, I regularly provide care for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. In most cases, these patients are easilytreatedingeneral practice with minor modifications. Dr. Heather Carr CDA vice-president 19 Issue 3 | 2021 |