Dental care for the handicapped adolescent

A total of 932 physically, mentally and multiple handicapped children, including many adolescents, were examined at their special schools in a mobile dental unit, during a 4-year pilot period, and 744 were treated. Their dental needs were compared with those of 450 children at normal schools. Although a greater proportion of handicapped children were caries-free, more required extractions and periodontal treatment. In the group aged 12-16 years there were more decayed teeth, more missing teeth and fewer fillings than in the controls of the same age. Over 90 per cent of the 744 children were treated satisfactorily in the mobile clinic, cooperation being acceptable in 79 per cent. Only 2 per cent were totally uncooperative and required a general anaesthetic, even for an examination. In total, 8.5 per cent of the children received some treatment under general anaesthesia. Treatment should aim to create understanding by adolescent or parent of good dental health, to obtain oral health, to create the most pleasing appearance possible, to encourage acceptance of further treatment and, where possible, to involve adolescent patients by providing treatment along normal lines.