Dental education and special-needs patients: challenges and opportunities.

摘要: Pediatric dentists have, by tradition and default, provided care for persons with special health needs (PSHCN), regardless of age. Deinstitutionalization PSHCN in the 1960s, however, overwhelmed dental system, oral became one greatest unmet this population. This presentation follows history training aspect care, from first demonstration programs 1970s to current educational U.S. schools. Today's students must be competent assessing treatment PSHCN, but accreditation standards do not require competency group patients. Recommendations rectify include revising school curricula more patient-centered, improving technology schools, earlier clinical experiences students, use community-based clinics.