INTRODUCTION

Numerous conditions require special patient management

Dental professionals must strive to treat each patient as an individual

with unique needs that may necessitate changes, additionsto the standard
of care.

Patients with special needs

Physically disabled patient

Visually impaired

Hearing Impaired

• Mobility impairment

Developmental disabilities ADHD

Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder Autism

• Down's syndrome

• Mental Retardation

• Cerebral Palsy

Seizure

pediatric patients

Gagging reflex

Patient with trismus

Patients with poor hand control

The unconscious patient

The edentulous patient

 The endodontic patient

Physically disabled patient

1) Visually impaired
Guidelines when working with the visually impaired patients

A) Stand slightly in front of the patient to guide them; the patient will
hold onto your bent arm near the elbow for guidance.
B) Make note of any changes in the floor and clear a path to the dental
chair.
C) Always provide instructions in the patient's native language by
describing procedures step by step.

D) Avoid shining light into the patient's eyes if he is partially sighted.

1) Hearing impairment

During communication with the deaf the following recommendations are

advised:

• 1. Face the patient, remove your mask, speak normally , because many
patients rely on lip reading

. 2. Avoid sittting in front of a window or bright light that may cast a

shadow on your face

. 3. Use a pencil and paper to communicate oral care recommendations if

necessary
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4. Avoid backgroud noise. Ask the patient to turn off a hearing aid when
using high- pitched powered scaling and toothbrush devices

5. Become familiar with common sign language signals that may be

helpful during appointment, such as close, open, rinse etc.

6. Tell, show and do all procedures to reinforce them and enhance the
patient's understanding

3)Mobility impairment

If person is in wheelchair& not have use of lower limb radiographer may

offer help from care giver for transferring patient to dental chair.
• If not possible to shift patient then can perform on wheel chair.

• The caregiver can help the patient to hold the film if upper limb cant
use.

• In such cases caregiver should use lead apron & thyroid coller.

• A short exposure time should be used to minimize image unsharpness

due to incresed patient Activate