[Dental care of mentally retarded persons]

To let the dental treatment of mentally handicapped people run as smoothly as possible a good cooperation between dentist and parents, or attendants, is of great importance. After the psychosocial, the medical and the dental anamneses a provisional treatment plan can be made in consultation with the patient and/or his attendants. The treatment plan and the treatment itself are regularly evaluated and, if necessary, adjusted. The cooperation, the nature of the handicap, the oral care and motivation play an important role in determining the aim of the treatment. In most cases an approach directed towards a change in behaviour will suffice. Sometimes, however, pharmacological support is required. For this the patient will usually be referred to a centre for special care dentistry.