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| Dental Health Care in Disabled Children | | | Dr. Bhavneet Kaur M.D.S (Pediatric & Preventive dentistry) | 12/2/2010 10:07:17 PM |
| The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by General Assembly in 1982. The official title of the Day was changed from International Day of Disabled Persons to International Day of Persons with Disabilities byGeneral Assembly resolution 62/127 on 18 December 2007.
All human beings are not only entitled to rights, but also have the responsibility of making universal human rights a reality for all of us. This International Day for Persons with Disabilities is a time to make a renewed commitment to the principles of dignity and justice and to ensure implementation of proper health care of persons with Disabilities.
India has 40 to 80 million disabled persons, it is estimated that about 30 per cent of them are children below 14 years of age. It has been documented that disabled children are at a great risk to suffer from dental diseases. There are a number of reasons why children with disabilities are often more prone to dental diseases. The most obvious reason is the physical limitation of the child to achieve proper oral hygiene. Children with disabilities, especially those with poor motor coordination - such as those with spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy - may not be able to clean their teeth or may not be able to use the usual brushing and flossing methods.
Although with all the medical, nutritional and emotional needs of children with disabilities, it can be hard for parents to find time for a proper daily oral care but a preventive dental care routine is essential. Following are few of the basic preventive measures to help such children stay away from dental problems:
PROPER BRUSHING:
Remember, dental problems in disabled children can be prevented before they start. Stress should be made on cleaning the teeth at home every day. Daily brushing and flossing remove plaque, the primary cause of tooth decay. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. Daily oral care is a necessity. If possible, children should clean their own teeth. Electric toothbrushes may be used or you can also guide the child through each step by placing your hand over the child's hand. Whenever the disabled child is unable to clean his/her own teeth the parent must do the cleaning.
Daily oral care should be performed in any well-lit room that is convenient. There are a number of positions you can use to clean the child's teeth. In any position, it's important to support the child's head. Be careful to avoid choking or gagging if the child's head is tilted back. It is also important for you to be able to see what you are doing and easily manipulate dental floss and brush. Ask your dental professional to recommend the safest, most comfortable position for your child.
2. RINSING WITH WATER:
It has also been observed that some disabled children who have difficulty chewing and swallowing food may often switch to eating soft diet which may stick to their teeth. Frequent eating of sugary sticky foods lead to nutritional deficiencies in such children and it can increase their chances of tooth decay. When food particles, especially from sugary foods, stick to the teeth, the bacteria use the food to produce acids which cause cavities. These children should be encouraged to rinse their mouth with water after each meal to help wash food particles off their teeth.
3. TAKE FREQUENT SIPS:
A number of medications that may be used more frequently by children with disabilities can also lead to increased risk of dental disease. Medications that use syrup or sugar to sweeten the taste can cause tooth decay if used over a long period of time. Some seizure medications may cause the gums to bleed or become enlarged. Excessive gum growth can interfere with chewing and speech. Sedatives, barbiturates, antihistamines and drugs used for muscle control may reduce the flow of saliva. With less saliva, there is less cleansing action to help protect the teeth against cavities. Aspirin, taken in large doses and dissolved in the mouth before swallowing, can provide an acidic environment that fosters tooth decay. Some antibiotics need to be prescribed with caution because they can stain or discolor newly erupting teeth.
It is worth noting that most of the times taking medicines over a long period of time is a necessity in disabled children so the alternative to decrease the side effects of these medicines is to make the child take frequent sips of water to keep their mouth hydrated and to help diluting the effects of medicines on the teeth.
4. REGULAR DENTAL VISITS:
Sometimes genetic disorders in very young children can cause defects in tooth enamel that make the enamel prone to decay. Congenitally missing teeth and teeth that do not align properly are frequently seen in children with cleft palates and other craniofacial disorders. Although getting a disabled child to the dental office can be difficult, it is recommended to get the child examined regularly by a dentist to spare the child from unnecessary pain and discomfort later.
Remember, a good oral health is an important part of a child's total health. Children with good strong teeth are able to chew a wider variety of foods for healthy nutrition. Healthy teeth aid in speech development by helping children make the proper sounds for speaking clearly and also help in the psychological development as healthy looking teeth help these children look and feel better.
For persons with disabilities, as for all persons, the denial of one right can lead to the denial of other rights and opportunities throughout their lives.
So pledge to make the life of these special children beautiful by imparting healthy smiles to them. |
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