Program for coordinated dental care under general anaesthesia for children with special needs.
OBJECTIVE
To draw up a program for coordination of dental care for children with special needs between the Course at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCMC) (Specialisation in holistic dental care for children with special needs), and the Disabled Children's Oral Health Unit (DCOHU) within the Madrid Health Service (SERMAS).


METHODS
UCMC Protocol for children with special needs. Design of a clinical pathway based on consensus amongst the professionals involved.


RESULTS
Algorithm for dental care for children with special needs. Matrix covering all activities and timing for full dental diagnosis in such patients (general health, oral health and behaviour) to facilitate proper referral of patients requiring general anaesthesia. Inclusion in the matrix of those responsible for each activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved team work (University - primary health care) in patient evaluation, in provision of information to parents and guardians and in health care quality. From the teaching point of view, students learn to adopt a systematic approach in the decision-making process.
Departamento de Estomatología IV (Facultad de Odontología Universidad Complutense de Madrid), Madrid, Spain. denova@odon.ucm.es
M Joaquín
MJ
de Nova-García
M Rosa Mourelle
MR
Martínez
Carmen Martín
CM
Sanjuán
Nuria E Gallardo
NE
López
Esther Carracedo
EC
Cabaleiro
Yolanda Alonso
YA
García
D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002648:Child; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000592:standards*; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male