Special Needs

Question 1

What are the three dimensions of disability?

Answer 1

1. Impairment in a person’s body structure or function, or mental functioning.
2. Activity limitation, such as difficulty seeing, hearing, walking, or problem solving.
3. Participation restrictions in normal daily activities, such as working, engaging in social and recreational activities, and obtaining health care and preventive services.

Question 2

What does P.I.A. stand for in the context of disability?

Answer 2

P - Participation restrictions in normal daily activities.
I - Impairment in a person’s body structure or function, or mental functioning.
A - Activity limitation, such as difficulty seeing, hearing, walking, or problem solving.

Question 3

What factors affect the quality of life related to oral health?

Answer 3

All four factors: social, function, psychological, and pain.

Question 4

What does the acronym ‘SPOOF’ represent?

Answer 4

S - Social
P - Psychological and Pain/Discomfort
OOF - Functions (the ‘F’ sound)

Question 5

Why is the special needs population at a higher risk of oral disease?

Answer 5

Due to difficulties with oral hygiene, dietary challenges, medication side effects (such as dry mouth and gingival overgrowth), medical conditions that affect oral health, behavioral or cognitive limitations that impact cooperation, and reduced access to specialized dental care.

Question 6

What does R.I.S.K.S. stand for?

Answer 6

R - Reduced access to specialized dental care
I - Impaired oral hygiene (difficulties with)
S - Side effects from medications (dry mouth, gingival overgrowth)
K - Known medical conditions affecting oral health (or cognitive/behavioral limitations affecting cooperation)
S - Sustained dietary challenges

Question 7

What are the risk factors of caries represented by the acronym F.A.D.S.?

Answer 7

F - Fluoride (Availability of Fluoride - its lack is a risk)
A - And Biofilm (Plaque and Biofilm)
D - Diet
S - Saliva

Question 8

What factors impact decision making when creating an oral care plan?

Answer 8

C.O.M.P.
C - Conditions: Consider the patient’s medical conditions, medication side effects, existing oral pain, and specific caries risk factors.
O - Oral Care Output/Capacity: Assess the patient’s ability to perform oral hygiene.
M - Management & Modifications: Plan for behavior management strategies and modify techniques as needed.
P - Provider & Patient Factors for Care: Consider the carer’s beliefs, priorities, and confidence, as well as patient factors like compliance and preferences.

Question 9

How does vibration help in dental procedures?

Answer 9

Vibration can help by reducing pain, distracting from discomfort, and increasing cooperation.

Question 10

What does the acronym V.I.P. stand for?

Answer 10

V - Vibration
I - Increases Cooperation
P - Pain Reduction

Question 11

What are the mental requirements for effective tooth brushing?

Answer 11

Memory and Motivation.

Question 12

What are the physical requirements for effective tooth brushing?

Answer 12

Gripping, Placement, Orientation, Movement, Stamina.

Question 13

What does the acronym M.O.M.S.P.O.G. represent?

Answer 13

M - Memory
O - Orientation
M - Motivation
S - Stamina
P - Placement
O - Orientation (again, for reinforce)
G - Gripping

Question 14

What should be included in an Oral Care Capacity Assessment form?

Answer 14

Circle the hand/s the patient holds the brush in (R or L, or both), mark on the diagram the places the patient reached with a brush, count these up and write the total.

Question 15

What are some chemotherapeutics used in oral care?

Answer 15

Neutraflaour, Cura sept, gc tooth mousse, colgate total 12.

Question 16

What factors should be considered when choosing chemotherapeutic products?

Answer 16

Patient factors include oral disease risk, compliance likelihood, dysphagia risk, allergies, taste preferences, and cost. Carer factors involve beliefs, priority given to oral care, confidence, and education.

Question 17

What does the acronym P.R.O.D.U.C.T. stand for?

Answer 17

P - Patient (factors)
R - Risk (Oral Disease Risk, Dysphagia Risk)
O - Outlook (for Compliance)
D - Delivery (Carer’s Confidence in Delivery)
U - Understanding (Carer’s Education/Training, Beliefs)
C - Cost
T - Taste/Preferences (and Allergies)

Question 18

What is recommended for low-risk patients regarding tooth brushing?

Answer 18

Tooth brushing with a soft toothbrush and standard fluoride toothpaste twice daily.

Question 19

What is recommended for high caries risk patients?

Answer 19

High fluoride toothpaste (e.g., Neutrafluor 5000 Plus).

Question 20

What are the key dental implications of dysphagia?

Answer 20

Poor oral clearance, increased accumulation of plaque/calculus, aspiration risk during treatment, nutritional supplements causing an increase in dental decay, dry mouth.

Question 21

What does the acronym P.A.N.D.A. represent in the context of dysphagia?

Answer 21

P - Poor oral clearance
A - Aspiration risk during treatment
N - Nutritional supplements causing increased decay
D - Dry mouth
A - Accumulation (Increased accumulation of plaque/calculus)

Question 22

What are key considerations when devising an oral care plan?

Answer 22

Cause of dysphagia, aspiration risk level, risk factors (oral), expert opinions (healthcare professionals), specialized hygiene products, and 3 monthly hand scaling.

Question 23

What oral care products are recommended for managing dry mouth?

Answer 23

Sugar-free gum, Biotene, alcohol-free mouthwash.

Question 24

What challenges does dementia pose to oral care?

Answer 24

Cognitive impairment, communication behavior problems, reduced physical dexterity, impaired sensory functions, and the effects of multiple medications.

Question 25

What does the acronym H.A.R.D. stand for in the context of dementia?

Answer 25

H - Handling Challenges A - Alterations by Medications & Co-morbidities R - Reporting Deficits D - Dementia's Direct Impact

Question 26

What are key strategies for managing challenging behaviors in oral care?

Answer 26

Effective communication, improving access to the mouth, and ensuring adequate vision.

Question 27

What does the acronym C.A.V. represent?

Answer 27

C - Communication A - Access V - Vision

Question 28

What are some reasons for resistance to oral care?

Answer 28

Existing oral disease, negative previous experiences, sensory processing disorder, and unfamiliarity with staff.

Question 29

What are key behavioral signs of dental pain?

Answer 29

Sleep and eating disturbances, refusal to open the mouth, fear of being touched, confusion, lack of or reduced cooperation, grabbing or hitting out.

Question 30

What does the acronym F.A.C.T.S. represent in the context of dental pain?

Answer 30

F - Fear of being touched A - Altered behavior C - Cooperation (lack of or reduced) T - Tightly closed mouth S - Sleep and eating disturbances