Deterioration in the child’s condition may impede
their ability to perform their own oral hygiene and
this may cause embarrassment, especially for older
children who may try to disguise or hide their inability
to perform this task. Therefore as healthcare needs
increase the needs of the child and family intensify.
Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this and
support children and young people in these tasks,
and they should be involved and supported with their
oral hygiene for as long as reasonably possible, being
mindful that oral care needs to be maintained and
completed effectively and competently (Gibson et al
2012). Families providing oral care may feel anxious
if they assist or perform the task that they may
inadvertently hurt their child. Healthcare workers
therefore need to support children and families to
perform oral hygiene, teaching and assisting individuals
with this task, aiming to reduce distress to the child or
young person