Dental care of the special patient in the hospital environment

In this new era, where the emphasis in dental care is gradually moving in the direction of the patient, as differentiated from the former emphasis on the teeth and the mouth, the 'special patient' can and should receive the type of total dental care he or she deserves. The environment of the hospital, and all that the hospital brings with it to the patient care environment, makes the facilities for special patient care better and allows patients who were formerly seriously neglected to receive much the same attention as so-called normal patients. The group of special patients considered includes the physically handicapped, institutionalized or home-bound chronically ill, those with psychiatric disturbances and the mentally retarded as well as the hospitalized patient. One example of a hospital dental service conducted as a group practice is described in some detail. Advantages of this pattern of practice to the participants include the availability of conferences and clinics, access to a broad range of patient experience and the possibility of further study in specialized hospital activities. For the patient, total dental care is available throughout the 24 hours. Each patient is normally assigned to his or her own dentist, but is referred to another member of the group when special skills are needed.