Communicating with the family of the child with a developmental disability.
As more and more families of handicapped children seek dental care, increased demands will be placed on the dentist and staff to communicate effectively and humanely, not only with the child but with the parents. Increased training is currently being provided through doctoral programs and continuing education to deal with special human needs of the patient and family in a dental setting. The dentist should address the thoughts and feelings of the parents as well as those of the child. The child and family present special problems but also special opportunities to fulfill professional responsibilities and experience personal and professional gratification.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations