PACT: Special Needs - Introduction

Introduction
The federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Division of Services for Children With Special Health Care Needs established a work
group that redefined children with special health care needs in the
following terms:

“Children with special health care needs are those who have
or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.”

This definition was adopted by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1998. According to this definition, approximately 18% of US children and youth have a special health care need. Many of these conditions, including mental retardation, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, craniofacial abnormalities, and seizure disorders, can impact a child’s oral health.

By understanding the potential barriers to optimal oral health care and the consequences of poor oral health for patients with special health care needs, pediatric health professionals can identify at-risk patients early, provide anticipatory guidance, refer to appropriate dental professionals, and assist patients and families in overcoming barriers to accessing and utilizing care.

Sections


1.	Access to Care

2.	Caries Risk

3.	Other Concerns

		Tooth Eruption
		Malocclusion and Crowded Teeth
		Dental Anomalies
		Gingival Hyperplasia
		Trauma
		Bruxism

4.	Preventive Oral Health Practices

		Dental Office
		Pediatric Office Screening

5.	Examination Checklist

6.	Referrals

7.	Key Points

8.	Self-Assessment Questions