title: Dental management of special needs patients who have epilepsy.
abstract: Patients who have developmental disabilities and epilepsy can be safely treated in a general dental practice. A thorough medical history should be taken and updated at every visit. A good oral examination to uncover any dental problems and possible side effects from antiepileptic drugs is necessary. Stability of the seizure disorder must be taken into account when planning dental treatment. Specific considerations for epileptic patients include the treatment of oral soft tissue side effects of medications and damage to the hard and soft tissue of the orofacial region secondary to seizure trauma. Most patients who have epilepsy can and should receive functionally and esthetically adequate dental care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, Clinic 1B-Room 114S, NY 10010, USA. miriam.robbins@nyu.edu
authors.forename: Miriam R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Robbins
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D005885:Gingival Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010346:Patient Care Management; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants