Nutrition and Oral Medicine (Nutrition and Health)

Chapter 2 / Pregnancy, Child Nutrition, Oral Health 275.3. Mentally and Physically HandicappedChildren with mental retardation may be prone to childhood dental caries because theirneurological impairment can make dental care difficult or impossible. Often, childrenwith this disability need assistance with eating, clothing, and toileting from caregivers.Given all of these needs, diligent oral hygiene may be considered less important and thusmay be neglected (71). Dental health in children with special needs is as essential asimmunizations, regular physical examinations, and attention to injury prevention. Childrenwith mental retardation may acquire dental caries because of poor dental hygiene,poor nutritional intake, and long-term medication therapy (77).The dental status and treatment needs of Israeli children and adults with mental retardationwere studied in a random sample of 387 subjects. Findings confirm high dentalmorbidity such as decayed and missing teeth and significant oral health differences bylevel of retardation, age, and dental clinic status. Specialized training designed to addresstreatment issues with handicapped populations is recommended for dental providers andthe staffs of institutions to enhance oral health outcomes (78).Parents and caregivers of handicapped children should be educated to clean the gumsand mouths of children who do not have teeth yet with moist gauze. Children withdisabilities need an appropriately sized toothbrush and require assistance with brushing.The use of an electric toothbrush can be beneficial for children who have poor plaqueremoval technique because of their lack of manual dexterity (79).6. SUMMARYNutrition and diet are significant determinants of oral health status during pregnancy,infancy, and childhood. Adequate nutrition of the fetus during pregnancy that is extendedinto childhood increases the likelihood of establishing health behaviors that promotepositive outcomes. Conversely, malnutrition can contribute to low birthweight, pretermdelivery, failure to thrive, obesity, and altered growth patterns associated with increasedrisks for oral diseases. Dental professionals should address oral health issues specific tostages of growth and development and promote parenting behaviors in keeping withachieving good health.Guidelines for PracticeOral Health ProfessionalNutrition ProfessionalPrevention • Educate women who are planning • Include oral health screening in routinepregnancies, are pregnant, or areprenatal, infant, and child dietaryparenting about the role of nutrition in assessment activitiesthe oral health of infants and children • Provide messaging to parents about thesynergy between nutrition and risk fororal diseaseIntervention • Provide guidelines that promote oral • Conduct dietary assessment andhealth and support dietary changes nutrition education with dental patients/necessary to decrease risk for ECC clients who are parenting• Develop a referral protocol to a nutrition • Tailor dietary counseling to includeprofessional for comprehensive dietary guidelines to promote optimum oralcounseling and monitoringhealth and disease risk reduction• Develop a referral protocol to a dentalprofessional for oral health maintenance