Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Home oral health practice: the foundation for desensitization and dental care for special needs
Fred S Ferguson1, Debra Cinotti
1Dental Care for the Developmentally Disabled Program, Department of Children's Dentistry, Rockland Hall, Room 122, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8700, USA. fferguson@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Abstract:
As oral health is increasingly recognized as a foundation for health and wellness, caregivers for special needs patients are an essential component of the oral health team and must become knowledgeable and competent in home oral health practice. Education and training for caregivers should become a standard of care early in the first year of life for any child with developmental delay or any person, regardless of age, who experiences an illness or event that compromises their ability to provide self oral health care. Given the implication of poor oral health to general health and health care costs, home oral health practice is a significant factor in dental care, general health, quality of life, and controlling health care costs.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
