The Special Needs and Medically Compromised Patient

DEN 105

Special needs patient

Patient who may have medical, physical, or other conditions requiring modified dental care

Medically compromised patient

Patient whose medical condition may affect dental treatment

Dental assistant’s role

Aid the dentist, provide information, and make the patient comfortable

Aging population

Population increasing because of declining birth rates and increased longevity

Functionally independent older adult

Older adult who can function independently

Frail older adult

Older adult with decreased physical strength or ability

Dependent older adult

Older adult who needs assistance with daily activities

Xerostomia

Dry mouth caused by decreased saliva flow

Periodontal disease

Disease affecting the tissues supporting the teeth

Root caries

Decay occurring on exposed tooth roots

Coronal caries

Tooth decay affecting the crown

Recurrent decay

Decay occurring around defective restorations

Secondary dentin

Dentin deposited over time that reduces the size of the pulp chamber

Bone resorption

Loss of bone, including loss of the alveolar ridge

Physical disorder

Condition that may require changes to the dental office or appointment

Accessibility

Providing access to dental care for people with physical disabilities

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Law passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities

Wheelchair accommodations

Ramps, accessible hallways, adequate door width, and operatory space

Vision impairment

Reduced ability to see surroundings

Visually impaired patient care

Explain procedures, offer your arm for guidance, and describe obstacles

Guide dog

Dog assisting a person with a visual impairment

Hearing impairment

Reduced ability to hear

Hearing

impaired patient care

Neurologic disorder

Disorder involving the nervous system

Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord

Autonomic nervous system

Controls automatic body functions

Sympathetic nervous system

Controls the “fight

Parasympathetic nervous system

Controls resting functions such as digestion

Alzheimer disease

Disorder involving deterioration of mental capacity and dementia

Seizure disorder

Condition involving abnormal electrical brain activity

Phenytoin

Antiepileptic medication that can cause gingival overgrowth

Gingival overgrowth

Excessive growth of gingival tissue

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Another term for stroke

Stroke

Loss of central nervous system function caused by a sudden vascular problem in the brain

Neuromuscular disorder

Disorder affecting nerves that control voluntary muscles

Muscular dystrophy

Progressive weakness and deterioration of skeletal muscles

Parkinson disease

Motor disorder involving loss of dopamine

Parkinson symptoms

Tremor, rigidity, slow movement, and impaired balance/coordination

Cerebral palsy

Group of nonprogressive neuromuscular disorders caused by brain damage

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Degenerative nervous system disease also called Lou Gehrig’s disease

Arthritis

Disorder causing joints to become inflamed and painful

Rheumatoid arthritis

Autoimmune disorder causing pain, stiffness, and swelling

Osteoarthritis

Joint disorder associated with aging and inflammation/pain

Cardiovascular disorder

Disorder affecting the heart and blood vessels

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body

Hypertension

High blood pressure

Angina

Chest pain caused by decreased blood supply to the heart muscle

Nitroglycerin

Medication used to treat an angina attack

Stable angina

Predictable chest pain

Unstable angina

Unpredictable chest pain

Endocarditis

Severe infection of the heart valves and supporting structures

Pulmonary disorder

Disorder affecting the lungs and characterized by airway obstruction

Allergy

Body reaction to an antigen

Antigen

Foreign substance/protein that triggers an immune response

Antibody

Protein made by B lymphocytes that reacts with an antigen

Bronchial asthma

Chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways

Asthma symptoms

Wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing

Endocrine disorder

Disorder involving glands that release hormones into the bloodstream

Thyroid gland

Gland that regulates metabolism and calcium movement into bones

Hyperthyroidism

Overactive thyroid gland

Graves disease

Disease associated with an overactive thyroid

Hypothyroidism

Underactive thyroid gland that produces fewer hormones

Diabetes mellitus

Metabolic disorder affecting how the body uses food for energy

Type 1 diabetes

Diabetes in which the body does not make insulin

Type 2 diabetes

Adult