Managing Infants and Children with Special Needs
Examining pre-cooperative children - or patients who have special healthcare needs and are unable to cooperate - is a challenging aspect of dental practice that requires significant skill and understanding.
Dr. Jennifer MacLellan is a Pediatric Dentist from Halifax NS, and President Elect of the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, who has expertise in managing infants and children with special needs.
In this edition of CDA Oasis Live with Dr. John O’Keefe, Director of Knowledge Networks CDA, Dr. MacLellan gives some practical tips on how to perform a successful oral exam in a patient who is unable to cooperate. Dr. MacLellan stresses the need for dentists to be adaptable – to remember that every patient is different, and that consultation with parents and caregivers is key. She walks through the “knee-to-knee” oral exam position, shares valuable tips on working with patients in wheelchairs, and highlights the key considerations when caring for children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder.
We hope you find the conversation useful. We welcome your thoughts, questions and/or suggestions about this post and other topics. Leave a comment in the box below or send us your feedback by email.
Until next time!
CDA Oasis Team
Dr. Maclellan is just an amazing and a great clinician, great teacher.