Dental care for the handicapped-ambulatory and hospital considerations

Estimates of the incidence of handicap are totally confused, and there is little coordination in provision of information as to types of disability. The author attempts to distinguish between the various handicaps from a standpoint of dental services delivery. Some of the psycho-social problems of the handicapped are discused in relation to dental care, and distinction is made between those who can be treated on an ambulatory basis and those who have to be hospitalized. Guidelines are established for each of the aforementioned techniques in order to make the experience more bearable for patient, parent and dentist.