title: Dental considerations for individuals with Down syndrome.
abstract: Down syndrome is one of the most frequently encountered and easily recognizable of all developmental disabilities. Patients with Down syndrome exhibit mental retardation and often present with associated medical conditions, such as cardiac defects, immune deficiencies and musculoskeletal disorders. It is important for the dental practitioner to be familiar with the medical aspects of Down syndrome, as well as the potential behavioral issues. We present a brief review of Down syndrome for the dental provider and suggest that with a little knowledge and some patience, most private practitioners can easily accommodate these patients in their practice.
authors.affiliation: Dental Services, Westchester Institute for Human Development, New York Medical College, Valhalla, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Seagriff-Curtin
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pugliese
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romer
mesh_terms: D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008022:Ligaments / Q000503:physiopathology; D009056:Mouth Abnormalities; D009333:Neck; D009421:Nervous System Malformations; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities