Patients with SHCN who have a dental home33 are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine care. The dental home provides an opportunity to implement individualized
preventive oral health practices and reduces the child’s risk of preventable dental/oral disease.
When patients with SHCN reach adulthood, their oral health care needs may extend beyond the scope of the pediatric dentist’s training. It is important to educate and prepare the patient and parent on the value of transitioning to a dentist
who is knowledgeable in adult oral health needs. At a time
agreed upon by the patient, parent, and pediatric dentist, the patient should be transitioned to a dentist knowledgeable and comfortable with managing that patient’s specific health care needs. In cases where this is not possible or desired, the dental home can remain with the pediatric dentist and appropriate
referrals for specialized dental care should be recommended when needed