The Provider's Role in Oral Health
Care Managers and providers will ensure that the dental home care needs of people they support are met and that people have the skills and support they need to achieve good dental hygiene. Care Managers can also arrange for training in oral home care (brushing and flossing) and help people find a dentist who can assess a person's dental health and make recommendations for treatment. While many people with developmental disabilities visit their general family dentist, some patients may need or prefer the services of a dentist who is trained in special needs dentistry.
Providers can make dental visits more efficient and productive by filling out health history forms in advance of the person's appointment. Our downloadable forms covering medical and dental history were developed by our Task Force on Special Dentistry to ensure that the dentist has the information needed to deliver optimal care and treatment. These forms can be found on our forms page, including specific forms to be completed by providers. Providers can access oral health training materials developed specifically for patients and their caregivers.