Dental Care for Children with Special Needs - A Clinical Guide

This concise manual offers best practice guidance on dental treatment of pediatric patients with special health care needs (CSHCN). The straightforward approaches described will enable clinicians to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Readers will find up-to-date information on case-based treatment planning, alternative caries management strategies, the use of behavioral and pharmacological interventions to facilitate delivery of quality treatment, and a team approach to care. Practical clinical tips are provided on how to achieve and maintain oral health, including good oral hygiene and nutrition. A systematic framework for patient assessment and interaction with medical colleagues will assist readers in understanding when dental protocols must be altered. Other important topics include techniques for effective communication with CSHCN, behavioral strategies to improve treatment acceptance, the role of occupational therapy techniques, the sensory adapted dental environment, and the use protective stabilization.



Travis M. Nelson, DDS, MSD, MPH, is Clinic Chief and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Washington. He has also been Attending Staff at Seattle Children's Hospital since 2010. Dr. Nelson completed his DDS at Loma Linda University in 2007 and his MSD/MPH at the University of Washington in 2010. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He has served as a committee member for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (Council on Clinical Affairs, Committee on Sedation and Anesthesia) and is a past President of the Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation. Dr. Nelson is an editorial board member for the Journal of Dentistry for Children (2014-8). He is lead or co-author of more than 30 original publications and has delivered numerous presentations both in the United States and overseas.


Jessica R. (De Bord) Webb, DDS, MSD, MA, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.  She practices at Children's Village in Yakima, WA and serves as the Associate Director of the NYU Langone Pediatric Dental Residency in Yakima, WA.  She is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Washington School of Dentistry. Dr. Webb earned her DDS from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry in 2007, and completed a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and MS in Dentistry in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Washington School of Dentistry, in 2010. She received an MA in Bioethics and Humanities from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2011.  She received Faculty of the Year awards from USC Pediatric Dentistry and University of Washington Yakima Pediatric Dental Residency in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Dr. Webb is chair of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Committee on Special Health Care Needs and a serves on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's Council on Post-Doctoral Education.