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4.1.2 Dental Care |
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Louisiana Statewide Transition Project and Louisiana: Healthy and Ready to Work Fact Sheet Series |
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7/9/99 |
I. WHY
IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Good oral health is important to total
health. Healthy teeth and gums are also important to one's overall appearance
and can affect employment opportunities, relationships, and other important
areas in a person's life. Unfortunately, children and young adults with
disabilities have an increased risk of dental problems, including dental
disease. With this in mind, it is important for young adults to recognize
dental care as a priority and to make sure they have the skills and/or supports
needed in order to ensure proper oral hygiene and dental care as adults.
II. KEY
POINTS
Daily Oral Hygiene: Many dental problems can be prevented by good daily
oral hygiene practices. A routine that includes brushing teeth at least twice a
day and flossing is necessary to maintain strong teeth and gums. Brushing and
flossing remove plaque and food particles from the teeth and mouth. Plaque, the
primary cause of tooth decay, is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that
constantly forms on the teeth. If plaque is not removed everyday, it can lead
to gum disease. Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
Good nutrition: Proper nutrition is also important for good dental
health. Diets lacking in certain nutrients can make it harder for the gum
tissue to resist infection. These infections are a contributing factor in the
development of gum disease, the main cause of tooth loss in adults. A
well-balanced diet will include all of the nutrients needed for good dental
health, with one possible exception -- fluoride. Fluoride is vital for strong,
decay-resistant teeth. A common source of dietary fluoride is fluorinated
water. Many communities add fluoride to their drinking water. If the community
does not fluorinate the water, a dentist can give advice as to how to ensure
sufficient fluoride intake.
Routine Dental visits: Regular check-ups are important to promote good oral
health. If possible, visits to the dentist should be made every six months for
a preventative checkup and cleaning. The dentist may advise more frequent
visits if the young adult has more serious dental problems such as gum disease.
There are several issues that can make access to dental care difficult for
young adults with disabilities. The American Dental Association (ADA) Council
on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations suggests that young
adults ask themselves and/or their potential dentist the following questions:
·
Have you informed the
dentist about your special health or financial conditions?
·
Does the dentist have
training and/or experience in treating patients with your specific disability
or health concern?
·
Does the dentist have
any questions or need additional information in order to treat patients with
your specific disability or health concern?
·
Does the dentist
participate in your dental benefit plan (dental insurance program)?
·
Does the dentist have
a facility that is accessible to individuals with disabilities?
Taking Responsibility: As with any other area relating to the transition to
adulthood, young adults should begin taking on more of the responsibility
associated with maintaining good oral health. In addition to performing daily
oral hygiene tasks, young adults can also:
·
learn about their
disability and how it may affect both daily oral hygiene and routine
professional dental care;
·
begin a record of their
medical history (including their dental history);
·
begin taking
responsibility for making and keeping their own medical appointments and
ordering supplies;
·
begin exploring health
care financing; and
·
begin to identify health
care providers (including dentists) that serve adults.
III. ROLES/NEXT
STEPS
Students/Young Adults:
As much as possible, young adults should be
involved with performing their own routine oral hygiene. Young adults should
either learn how to perform such tasks themselves, or learn how to direct
someone else to do these tasks for them.
When preparing for the transition to
adulthood, young adults must begin to take on the responsibility of ensuring
proper dental care. By learning how to do things such as choosing appropriate
dental professionals, making appointments, arranging payment for services, and
providing feedback to dental professionals, young adults can take charge of
their oral health needs. If young adults feel they need training and/or support
in these activities, they should request that this be included in the
Transition Services page of their Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Families:
While their sons/daughters are adolescents,
family members should encourage them to take on increased responsibility for
managing their health care. By giving opportunities to think about and practice
activities such as selecting a health care provider and making appointments,
families can better prepare their sons/daughters for adult responsibilities.
Parents and other family members are role
models for young adults. They must remember that their actions (or lack of
action) will have an influence on how their sons/daughters conducts themselves.
Therefore, families must set a healthy example by taking good care of themselves!
Finally, families should assist young adults
in identifying those skills and/or activities with which they will need
training and/or support. These should be included in the Transition Services
page of the IEP.
Agencies:
Local education agencies (LEAs) should make
sure that health issues, including dental health issues, are addressed during
transition planning for all students. Good oral hygiene can impact virtually
all transition areas, and therefore must not be overlooked.
All agency personnel involved in transition
planning should support young adults in their quest to be self-determined. By
listening to young adults and respecting their thoughts, opinions, and dreams,
agency personnel can help young adults advocate for themselves and reach their
goals. LEAs and adult agencies can offer self-advocacy/self-determination
training to young adults. These skills are very useful when working with health
care professionals.
Dental professionals should learn about how
the effects of various disabilities affect overall dental health. By being
informed about these issues, they can better provide services for their
patients. They should consider joining professional organizations such as the
Federation of Special Care Organizations in Dentistry or the International
Association for Disability and Oral Health in order to stay informed about best
practices.
Most importantly, all agency personnel and
dental health professionals should listen to young adults with
disabilities and their families. They are the best sources of
information about how their disability impacts their oral health.
IV. RESOURCES/CONTACTS
Federation of Special Care Organizations in
Dentistry
211 E. Chicago Ave., Suite 948
Chicago, IL 60611
312-440-2660
International Association for Disability and
Oral Health
305 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
614-292-1232
Children's Special Health Services
Acadian Region: 504-265-5816
Capitol Region: 225-342-4713
Central Region: 318-487-5266
Northeast Region: 318-362-5486
Northwest Region: 318-676-7488
Southeast Region: 504-222-4593
Southwest Region: 318-475-8742
Teche Region: 318-447-0896
Louisiana Donated Dental Services
This organization matches individuals with
dentists who volunteer their time providing dental services to the elderly and
individuals with disabilities. For more information, or for an application for
services, call 225-925-0331.
V. REFERENCES
American
Academy of Family Physicians (1998). AAFP patient information Handout: How
To Keep Your Mouth Healthy [Available via Internet at:
http//aafp.org/healthinfo]
California Dental Association (1998). California
Dental Association Fact Sheets: Clean Teeth and Gums [Available via
Internet at: http/www.pe.net/~iddpcl/clean.htm]
California Dental Association (1998). California
Dental Association Fact Sheets: Diet and Dental Health [Available via
Internet at: http//www.pe.net/~iddpcl/diet.htm]
Jolly, D. (1998). Preventative Measures:
Speaking of Oral Health [Available via Internet at:
http//www.windowonwellness.com/current/oralhealth/oral health.html]
Adolescent Health and Transition Project
(1999).
Transition Timeline for Children and
Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs. Seattle, WA: Center on Human Development and Disability, University
of Washington.