Dental Care for People with Special Needs
About this course
Course objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
• Understand the type of oral health problems commonly faced by people with special needs: dental decay, gum disease, dry mouth, tooth wear and mucosal diseases
• Appreciate the consequences of poor oral health on quality of life
• Identify barriers to dental care faced by the special needs population
• Demonstrate competency in delivery of basic oral hygiene
• Understand oral hygiene strategies and learn oral delivery techniques specific to patients who are wheelchair users, bedbound, PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) and NG (Nasogastric) fed and those who demonstrate care-resistant behaviours
• Identify avenues to seek advanced oral health care for people with special needs
Course description
This SkillsFuture funded course is a hands-on short course which will be of great benefit to anyone involved in the oral care of people with special needs such as the elderly and individuals with disabilities. You will understand the challenges faced by this special group of people and learn how to provide holistic oral care for them.
Target audiences
For caregivers such as nursing home staff, nurses, social and healthcare workers, and family members involved in caring for individuals with special needs, as well as dental professionals interested in learning more about their oral hygiene needs.