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Strategies for Treatment of Autistic Dental Patients

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Comprehensive Guide to Autism

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Abstract

The patient with autism can present quite a challenge in the dental office. With an increasing prevalence of the disorder, it is likely that dental health care workers will be required to care for an individual with autism. There are a variety of behavior guidance techniques and medical immobilization concepts to effectively treat patients with autism in the dental office. Treatment planning and preventive strategies need to be individualized for these patients. There is much more to know than just patient management issues. There are numerous issues specific to dentistry related to mercury, fluoride, nitrous oxide, antibiotics and acetaminophen. These patients frequently have allergies, immune system problems, gastrointestinal disturbances, and seizures. Dentists should be aware of the patient’s history, diagnosis, and communication abilities treatment strategies for adults and children. Despite the challenges, maintaining good oral health for the patient with autism can be an especially rewarding experience.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Dentistry, University of Illinois, 1415 West 47th Street, 60525, LaGrange, IL, USA

    Robert E. Rada

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  1. Robert E. Rada
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Correspondence to Robert E. Rada .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, Faculty of Science & Technology, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Nutritional Sciences Division and Genomics Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

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Rada, R.E. (2014). Strategies for Treatment of Autistic Dental Patients. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Martin, C. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_131

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_131

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4787-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4788-7

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

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