Dental Care for Patients with Disabilities

The purpose of this course is to focus awareness upon the difficult oral health issues that patients with disabilities face on a daily basis and to provide healthcare professionals with the necessary information to improve patients' oral and systemic health. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Outline the chronic oral health issues caused by Sjögren syndrome.
2. Describe the oral health issues associated with the systemic and discoid forms of lupus erythematosus.
3. Discuss the diverse variety of opportunistic oral infections that occur in patients with
4. Outline how immunosuppression for patients with organ and bone marrow transplants and from chemotherapy affects short-term and long-term oral health care.
5. Review oral health considerations for patients with Parkinson disease, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries, and describe treatment modifications for home care and in-office dental care.
6. Identify the varying degrees of physical impairment experienced by stroke victims and techniques that allow them to maintain oral hygiene.
7. Describe the special oral health issues encountered by cognitively impaired patients, particularly those with Down syndrome or Alzheimer disease.

This 5-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.