Dental Hygiene Care for Patients with Special Needs – Key Vocabulary

50 vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms and definitions from the lecture on dental hygiene care for patients with special needs.

Special Needs Patient

An individual whose medical, physical, psychological, or social situation requires modification of normal dental routines to receive care.

Disability

Any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Impairment

A problem with body structure or function that may be temporary or permanent and can lead to activity limitations.

Activity Limitation (Disability)

Restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in a normal manner for one’s age group.

Handicap / Participation Restriction

The result when an individual with an impairment cannot fulfill a normal life role.

Normalization

The process that enables individuals with disabilities to engage in everyday life patterns as closely as possible.

Mainstreaming

Incorporating people with special needs into the general community rather than segregating them.

Deinstitutionalization

Moving individuals with disabilities from institutions into community-based settings.

BADLs (Basic Activities of Daily Living)

Personal care tasks such as eating, dressing, grooming, toileting, and bathing.

IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living)

More complex skills needed for independent living, e.g., meal preparation, driving, managing finances.

Congenital Disability

A condition present at birth, e.g., cleft lip/palate.

Developmental Disability

Hereditary conditions that manifest before age 22 and continue throughout life, producing mental, physical, or sensory impairments.

Acquired Disability

A disability caused by chronic disease, acute medical incident, or trauma occurring after birth.

Age-Associated Disability

Functional limitation typically occurring after age 65, often due to chronic diseases like diabetes or stroke.

Barrier-Free Design

Architectural planning that allows people with disabilities to navigate spaces without obstacles.

Transportation Barrier

Difficulty accessing reliable, affordable, or accessible public transit, limiting healthcare visits.

Architectural Barrier

Physical obstacles in the built environment that hinder access, such as narrow doorways or lack of ramps.

Communication Barrier

Obstacles to exchanging information, including lack of sign-language services or unreadable signage.

Health Literacy Barrier

Limited ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make decisions.

Attitudinal Barrier (Professionals)

Negative or uninformed attitudes among healthcare providers that deter treatment of patients with disabilities.

Attitudinal Barrier (Patients)

Feelings such as anxiety, embarrassment, or low priority for oral care that reduce dental attendance.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1990 law prohibiting discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in public and private sectors.

Rehabilitation Act, Section 504

1973 law that bans disability discrimination by agencies receiving federal funds.

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act

2000 statute defining developmental disability and outlining rights and services for affected individuals.

Affordable Care Act (2010)

Legislation that created a Patient Bill of Rights, bans denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, and supports community living through increased home services.

Assistive Device

Tool that helps achieve independence in daily functions or communication, e.g., canes, wheelchairs.

Walking Devices

Mobility aids such as canes and walkers that assist ambulation.

Wheelchair Transfer Board

A sliding board used to move a patient safely between wheelchair and dental chair.

Sliding Board Transfer

Transfer method in which a board bridges wheelchair and dental chair for patient movement.

One-Person Lift

Wheelchair transfer technique requiring a single clinician to lift and move a cooperative patient.

Two-Person Lift

Transfer technique using two clinicians to move a less cooperative or heavier patient safely.

Semi-Dependent Transfer

Patient requires some assistance but can aid in the transfer; often uses a transfer belt.

Dependent Transfer

Patient provides no assistance; clinicians perform full lift, typically with two people.

Biofilm Control

Measures taken to remove and manage dental plaque to prevent caries and periodontal disease.

Mouth Prop

Device placed between teeth to help keep the mouth open during treatment.

Oral Stabilization Device

Appliance such as bite blocks or tongue depressors that aids in safe intraoral procedures.

Tell-Show-Do

Behavior guidance technique: explain, demonstrate, then perform the procedure.

Modified Toothbrush Handle

Adapted brush (e.g., enlarged or lengthened) to improve grasp for those with limited hand function.

Power Toothbrush

Electronically driven brush that can improve plaque removal; may be heavy for some users.

Saliva Substitute

Artificial product that moistens the oral cavity for patients with xerostomia; e.g., Biotène.

Functional Status

A person’s ability to perform daily living skills independently or with assistance.

Independence (Goal)

Enabling patients to perform oral and daily tasks with minimal assistance whenever possible.

Essential Services

Healthcare services necessary for individuals with disabilities to function and maintain independence.

Direct Threat Exception

Under the ADA, a dental office may refuse care only if a disabled person poses a significant health or safety risk that cannot be mitigated.

Dental Hygiene Objective for Special Needs Patients

To maintain oral health and appearance through individualized care.

Disability Prevalence (2010)

About 56.7 million Americans (19 % of the population) had a disability in 2010.

Common Causes of Disability

Conditions like cardiovascular disease, back problems, arthritis, asthma, and diabetes.

Assistive Listening Device

Electronic equipment that amplifies sound for individuals with hearing impairment.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

Potentially life-threatening sudden high blood pressure episode in spinal cord injury patients; requires prompt attention in dental settings.

Cleft Lip / Palate

Example of a congenital malformation affecting oral structures present at birth.