NIDCR Releases Publications on Oral Health and Developmental Disabilities

    Aug. 23, 2004
    Project aims to equip dental professionals in the community with the basic information they need to provide oral care to people with mild or moderate developmental disabilities.

    The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) has announced the release of a new publication series, Practical Oral Care for People With Developmental Disabilities: Making a Difference.

    Developed through the Institute's National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse (NOHIC), the project aims to equip dental professionals in the community with the basic information they need to provide oral care to people with mild or moderate developmental disabilities. Publications provide practical management strategies for office-based dental care and information to support home-based oral hygiene.

    Publications in the Practical Oral Care series include background information on developmental disabilities and address oral health problems common in people with these disorders. Treatment strategies emphasize adapting standard care procedures to accommodate the needs of special care patients. The following materials are available:

    For dental professionals
    * Continuing Education: Practical Oral Care for People With
    Developmental Disabilities
    * Practical Oral Care for People With Autism
    * Practical Oral Care for People With Cerebral Palsy
    * Practical Oral Care for People With Down Syndrome
    * Practical Oral Care for People With Mental Retardation
    * Wheelchair Transfer: A Health Care Provider's Guide

    For caregivers
    * Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver's Guide

    Complementing these materials is a continuing education test for dental professionals located online at www.nohic.nidcr.nih.gov. Participants who complete the test successfully earn two credit hours.

    If you have questions about the Practical Oral Care series or would like to order copies of these publications, simply call NOHIC at (301) 402-7364. You can also order publications online or e-mail the clearinghouse at [email protected].

    NIDCR's partners in this project are the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Special Care Dentistry.