SPECIAL CARE DENTISTRY REPORT

Managing a ‘special paediatric patient’ is a total different compared to a normal patient. To

treat them, it needs a lot of patience, passion and skills I would say.

From the SCD clinic I have attended, there was a case that caught my attention.  A 5 years
old boy with DiGeorge Syndrome and a history of surgery to correct his truncus arteriosus.
This patient came for a checked up before his next surgery. DiGeorge Syndrome is a
syndrome caused by the deletion of a small segment of chromosome 22. Symptoms of
DiGeorge Syndrome include delays in learning to walk or talk, short stature, mouth and
feeding problems, bone, spine and muscle problems, unusual facial feature, heart problems
and more. Truncus arteriosus is a congenital heart disease in which a single blood vessel
comes out of the right and left ventricle instead of the normal two vessels.

Upon examination, the dentist found that the patient had calculus and plaque all over his
teeth. The patient cried and refused for treatment and the dentist tried to persuade him a
few times but that did not work. So the dentist decided to do oral toilet for him, she used a
cotton roll and chlorhexidine to remove all plaque on the patient’s teeth. Patient was still
crying but he opened his mouth and gave cooperation throughout the procedure. After the
treatment completed, dentist tried to build rapport with patient one more time and it
worked. Patient was happy after that.

From this, I learn that a dentist should always give time for patient to adapt themselves to
the dental clinic’s surrounding first and make them comfortable with the place and the
dentist him/herself before starting any treatment. Building rapport with patient is also
important to gain their trust to do dental treatment. Besides, dentist has to be very patient
in handling these special children and only use force when needed. If patient still does not
cooperate, dentist can set appointment to do treatment under general anaesthesia after
considering all circumstances. Lastly, before sending patient off, always praise them and
give them rewards to elevate their mood back and to make sure they come again for the
next appointment.

Prepared by:
NUR KAMALIAH BINTI JAMEL
DIA160039
GROUP E