ATENDIMENTO E CONDUTA ODONTOLÓGICA APLICADA EM PACIENTE ESPECIAIS

Abstract

Patients with special needs face a higher risk of developing oral diseases, which can significantly affect their quality of life. This is mainly due to the difficulty in maintaining good oral hygiene, due to their limitations and, sometimes, the lack of collaboration with their caregivers. In this sense, the role of the dentist is crucial in guiding and motivating those responsible for taking care of the oral health of these patients. Therefore, multidisciplinary monitoring is essential to ensure an improvement in the quality of life of these individuals. The objective of this study was to conduct a narrative literature review on the relevance of dental care for people with special needs (PNE), highlighting the importance of the use of medications, retainers, parental involvement and multidisciplinary collaboration between professionals and family members. Scientific articles in Portuguese, English or Spanish, published from 2000 to 2021, were selected from the databases: PubMed, BBO, LILACS and SciELO, using the descriptors: special patients, dental care and oral health. The results indicated that PNEs often have more severe oral problems due to motor limitations, difficulties in cooperation and aggressive behaviors, compromising oral hygiene, despite the presence of a caregiver. Therefore, dentistry for PNEs requires specific approaches to procedures, in addition to attention to the patient's systemic conditions. It is also important for the dentist to provide information, guide oral care, recommend auxiliary techniques and encourage caregivers to maintain oral hygiene for these patients.