Dental Management of Children With Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Autism & Epilepsy : A Review

Children are our future society and assuring their healthy growth and development must be the most important consideration for all. Children with special health care needs (SHCN) have compromised oral health condition as it may be directly or indirectly associated to their disabilities. There is an increased prevalence of gingival diseases and dental caries among Children with SHCN due to poor oral hygiene. Sadly, the significance of dental care for these children has often been missed by the health care workers. The more compromised their general health conditions, the more dental care needs they have.  During earlier days, providing basic dental care was the prime concern, but in recent years, the dental profession has emphasized more on complete oral health care to the special health care needs children. Pediatric Dentistry is a specialized branch that provides primary, comprehensive, preventive and therapeutic oral health care to children with Special Health Care Needs. 
    Children with Special Health Care Needs may experience challenges in many ways such as intellectual disability, physical disability, medical disability, Genetic disability and learning disability. The document addresses intellectually challenged patients including Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Epilepsy and Autism.
Co-ordination and Consultation with medical and other dental professionals may be required for cautious delivery of oral health care and to enhance long term good results for such patients.