title: Neuropathological chewing: a dental management protocol and treatment appliances for pediatric patients.
abstract: Neuropathological chewing in hospitalized, comatose patients can occur from severe brain damage following a closed head injury, hypoxia, and septic shock. The dental management protocol developed by the Department of Dentistry at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, is presented. Treatment appliances utilizing a mandibular cast-silver cap splint with acrylic bite blocks and a maxillary mouthguard with acrylic bite blocks are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Hallett
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries*; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries; D014061:Tongue Habits