Feeding disorders research and teams: a new challenge for dentistry.
Feeding disorders, which include masticatory and cerebral disabilities, present a major problem for disabled persons, but only in the last decade have health professionals shown an increased interest in the diagnosis and management of patients with such problems. Dentists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the oral-facial region, yet they have either worked in intradisciplinary isolation or have not demonstrated their interest in patients with feeding disorders. Consequently, those involved in the assessment and treatment of persons with feeding disorders are not aware of the contributions dentists have made to the basic and clinical data base of feeding assessment and therapy. Dentistry is simply not mentioned in rehabilitation. The opportunity now exists for dentistry to inform others of our expertise in the field from both a research and a clinical perspective. The basic and clinical base of dental therapeutics and its role in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the masticatory apparatus and of swallowing are reviewed here. It is hoped that this review will stimulate interest among dentists to take part in the rehabilitation of patients with feeding disorders through the use of the extensive data base within the profession.
Judd
P L
PL
Kenny
D J
DJ
D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication