title: Oral self-injurious behaviors in patients with developmental disabilities.
abstract: Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) in patients who have developmental disabilities is a complex disorder, and its underlying etiologies are poorly understood. SIB is a significant factor in hospitalizations, decisions to use psychotropic medications, and institutional placement for people who have developmental disabilities. Because this group often manifests oral SIB, the dentist may be the first professional called upon to evaluate a patient. Dental therapy focuses on symptomatic treatment to minimize tissue damage caused by SIB, but addressing the underlying impetus for the behavior is essential for successful treatment. Determining definitive therapeutic interventions is difficult because of the mixed bio behavioral etiologies for SIB. This complication necessitates a team approach that includes medical and behavioral specialists.
authors.affiliation: Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, A.T. Still University, 5855 E. Still Circle, Mesa, AZ 85206, USA. mromer@atsu.edu
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romer
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Dougherty
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D015995:Prevalence; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents