Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Interface with a community feeding team to address oral health of special needs children: a pilot project

Merri L Jones1, Linda D Boyd

  • 1Lake Washington Technical College, Kirkland, WA, USA.

Journal of Dental Hygiene : JDH
|May 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Health professionals need training on oral health for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). A dental hygienist can improve CSHCN oral health by providing preventive care and education.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health
  • Interprofessional Healthcare

Background:

  • Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) face significant challenges in achieving optimal oral health.
  • Anticipatory guidance and preventive strategies are crucial for this population but often lacking.
  • Existing medical and dental care systems present barriers for CSHCN.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the educational needs of feeding team health professionals regarding anticipatory guidance for CSHCN.
  • To explore the potential role of dental hygienists in enhancing the oral health of CSHCN within a feeding team setting.

Main Methods:

  • Focus groups were utilized to gather data from the feeding team.
  • The study involved needs assessment and initial role identification for dental hygienists.

Main Results:

  • Feeding team members expressed a need for in-service training connecting oral health and feeding issues.
  • Specific interests included problems associated with tube feeding and oral sensitivities in CSHCN.

Conclusions:

  • A dental hygienist can play a vital role on feeding teams, offering preventive dental care, referrals, and education to caregivers and therapists.
  • Further research is required to define the dental hygienist's role and develop models for integrating them into multidisciplinary feeding teams.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults08:47

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Published on: February 2, 2020

Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques13:44

Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques

Published on: December 9, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Community Based Intervention01:30

Community Based Intervention

Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II01:18

Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II

An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care. Here are a few more healthcare professionals.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I01:21

Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I

An interdisciplinary team includes many healthcare professionals working together and utilizing their skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide holistic and quality patient care.
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
Assessment of the Mouth01:26

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I01:30

Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I

Specialized care settings or centers are situated in convenient locations within the community and offer care to a specific group or population. They consist of daycare facilities, mental health facilities, rural health facilities, educational institutions, industries, shelters for the homeless, and rehabilitation facilities.
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...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...