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Dental care for children with Down syndrome: a guide for the dental practice team Sinéad Brosnan Emma Ray-Chaudhuri Jennifer Parry Dental Update 2024 48:11, 707-709.
Authors
SinéadBrosnan
BDS NUI, MFDS RCS Ed
Senior House Officer in Paediatric Dentistry, University College Cork, Ireland
Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and increases the risk of a range of medical problems that may have implications for oral health. Children diagnosed with Down syndrome should be signposted to dental services as part of their schedule of health checks. To ensure that appropriate access and support are available from the dental team, it is important that dental professionals are familiar with medical and dental conditions and characteristics that occur with increased frequency in patients with Down syndrome.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality likely to present in clinical dental practice. This paper provides guidance for dental professionals for dental checks and surveillance of the developing dentition for children with Down syndrome.
Article
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder in humans, affecting all ethnic and economic groups. It is the most common cause of intellectual disability.1 European epidemiology studies reveal a Down syndrome prevalence of 22 cases per 10,000 births2 with a mean life expectancy of 58 years.3 It is primarily caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 (95% of cases); however, 3–4% have an unbalanced translocation for all or part of chromosome 21, or mosaicism. Extra chromosome 21 is more prevalent in children born to older mothers,2 and effects almost every organ system,4 which explains the wide phenotype variation and range of effects among patients diagnosed with Down syndrome.
Parents of children with Down syndrome have highlighted a need for appropriate and timely oral health information early in their child's life.5 The ability of a patient with Down syndrome to cope with a dental appointment and receive oral healthcare is influenced by the attitude and skill of the dental professional providing the service.5,6
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