Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 6

Case Complexity Assessment Tool The assessment form is intended to help the dental practitioner make referral decisions, to demonstrate case complexity of patients with SHCN, and to help determine a practitioner’s comfort-level—based on their existing knowledge, experience and/or physical clinical space—to provide treatment or make modifications to treatment. CDA’s Action Plan on SHCN Patients In 2018, CDA engaged a research firm to gather views from dentists on how to further improve communication and access to oral health care for patients with special needs. Nearly 1,500 dentists across Canada participated in the survey and shared their views on areas where further training or support were needed when caring for patients with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. completes the latest component of the resource series. Other available SHCN resources include: • The Dental Care for Persons with Special Needs page on the CDA website. Launched in November 2019, this page provides links to existing, high-quality patient information resources on autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. • A set of brochures Getting Started : Oral Health Care for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer’s Disease, or Dementia . Launched in April 2021, these resources provide basic care instructions for members of the dental team and parents and caregivers. Spearheaded and informed by Dr. Clive Friedman, certified specialist in pediatric dentistry from London, Ontario, CDA’s working group, is currently finalizing a transition tool to help guide patients, families and oral health care providers through the process of transition when an adolescent with SHCN moves from pediatric to adult oral health care, or when an adult with SHCN moves from one dental practice to another. Based on these research results, CDA’s National Coordinating Working Group on Access to Care for Children and Seniors realized the importance of providing deliverables to address dentists’ needs. Dr. Heather Carr, CDA vice-president, served as chair of the working group from 2016–21. “At times, dentists are uncertain about the best way forward with complex SHCN patients. Some report minimal training while in dental school and, as with all patients, there are unique considerations in providing dental care,” she says. “As a practising dentist, I provide care for many SHCN patients in my own practice with minor modifications. However, this case complexity assessment tool will be helpful in many situations. It provides information to help dentists determinewhen to treat, when not to treat, or when to refer patients with SHCN to other areas of care,” adds Dr. Carr. “The goal is to have general dentists comfortable treating patients with SHCN whenever possible thus improving access to care. Dr. Ari’s work has made this much easier,” she says. Dr. Dana Coles, CDA board member for P.E.I., is now leading the working group as the new chair. The working group devised an action plan to help address dentists’ top knowledge and training needs when working with/caring for persons with SHCN. Launching the Dental Treatment Case Complexity Assessment Form and Recommendations for Persons with Special Health Care Needs This tool will be helpful in many situations. It provides information to help dentists determine when to treat, when not to treat, or when to refer patients with SHCN to other areas of care. The new case complexity tool is available at: cda-adc.ca/assessment Access more resources on SHCN patients at: cda-adc.ca/specialneeds Watch an interview with Dr. Ari on CDA Oasis at: bit.ly/329wB07 14 | 2021 | Issue 6