CLINICAL CARE OF THE DISABLED PATIENT

Catalog description

This course provides theoretical knowledge needed to manage and work with patients with special needs. Scheduled regular SDM clinical rotations through the oral surgery and special care clinics (programmatic component of the SDM’s Comprehensive Patient Managem ent and Care courses in Years DS3 and DS4) provide opportunities complementary to this course for students to develop the necessary skills to properly manage the unique features and challenges that special needs patients present. Emphasis is placed on com munication strategies for effective management of the patient with special needs and the caregiver. The course also exposes students to treatment considerations for patients with intellectual disabilities (Autism, Down Syndrome, etc.) and acquired disabilities (traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, etc.) Other course topics include etiology and prevalence of common disabling conditions; barriers to dental care for special needs individuals; psychological and social factors which impact the special needs population.