Oral Health | Clinical and Risk Asessment | The different approaches in assessing the child patient

The different approaches in assessing the child patient
Session overview
Description
This session describes the dental assessment and examination of children and adolescents. It will cover all aspects of the assessment process and appropriate age-related behaviour management techniques.

Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• identify suitable age-related patient management
• describe how to undertake a thorough patient history
• identify the features of an age appropriate examination
• describe the roles of consent when examining the child patient
• describe how to reach an accurate diagnosis
• describe how to construct an age appropriate treatment plan

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should:

• be aware of developmental milestones (including dental)
• have knowledge of behaviour management techniques
• have experience in examining child dental patients
• be familiar with the principles of treatment planning

You should also have completed the following e-Den sessions in Module 1 Patient assessment/Assessment methods and techniques:

• Performing an extra-oral and facial examination
• Assessing the intra-oral soft tissues
• A general prthodontic examination of the patient
• Assessment for orthodontic referral
• Assessment of disease levels and factors that will impact on caries status
• Selection criteria for radiographic examination
• Special tests and baseline records

The aim of paediatric dentistry is to improve and maintain the oral health of children and adolescents.

Appropriate child management from an early age will help promote a positive dental attitude for the future.

In this session, we will describe and demonstrate assessment of the child patient and the modifications required, dependent on the patient’s age or stage of dental development.