Colgate Oral Health Network
Tips for Implementing Special Care Dentistry into Daily Practice
Ann Eshenaur Spolarich Scott Howell Karen Fallone Ellen Gohlke Kathleen Moralez Timothy Lukavsky Mai-Ly Duong Maureen Munnelly Perry
Ann Eshenaur Spolarich RDH, PhD, FSCDH, Professor and Assistant Dean for Research, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Scott Howell DMD, MPH, FSCD, Karen Fallone RDH, FSCDH, Ellen Gohlke RDH, BSDH, FSCDH, Kathleen Moralez CDA, EMT, Timothy Lukavsky DDS, FSCD, Mai-Ly Duong DMD, MPH, MAEd, Maureen Munnelly Perry DDS, MPA, MAEd

This program is an introduction to special care dentistry and essential consideration to maintain safety when providing care to dental patients with special needs.  Topics include a broad overview of individuals who present with special needs, medical consultation, systemic health and common co-morbidities, and assessment of current health status.  Risk reduction strategies to improve safety include medical consultation and collaboration, drug compatibility, fall hazards, communication, equipment and facilities, and anticipating medical emergencies.  Tips for staff training and skills and communication are shared. 

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify common co-morbidities found in patients with special needs.
  2. Discuss risk reduction strategies to maintain patient safety.
  3. Discuss the importance of a collaborative care approach to treatment.

Ann Eshenaur Spolarich

Ann Eshenaur Spolarich RDH, PhD, FSCDH, Professor and Assistant Dean for Research, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University

Individuals with special needs often present with complex medical conditions.  This presentation will discuss important medical conditions frequently observed in individuals with special needs that may require treatment modifications.  The discussion will include important information to include when requesting a medical consultation and resources that are helpful to aid the dental professional’s understanding of the management of medical conditions.

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify resources to aid in managing medical conditions
  2. List four primary medical considerations that may require treatment modifications when treating a patient with special needs (or special healthcare needs)
  3. Describe key elements to include in a medical consultation

Scott Howell

Scott Howell DMD, MPH, FSCD

This discussion will provide practical considerations for providing dental care to a patient with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Tips for scheduling and communication will be discussed.  Suggestions for treatment modifications to facilitate cooperation and successful care delivery will be shared.

The participant will be able to:

  1. Identify the best time of the day to schedule a patient with Alzheimer’s Disease.
  2. Discuss strategies for encouraging cooperation when initiating care.
  3. Discuss treatment modifications that may be necessary for the successful delivery of dental care to a patient with Alzheimer’s disease.

Karen Fallone

Karen Fallone RDH, FSCDH

This discussion will review how to look for visual cues and changes in vital signs that can be used to assess the current physical and emotional health of the patient with special needs.  Recording vital signs is an essential component of managing a dental patient with special needs, as these individuals often present with complex medical histories and/or may not be able to clearly communicate when they are in distress.

The participant will be able to:

  1. Identify, describe, and relate specific visual cues to the health status of the patient with special needs.
  2. Understand the importance of recording vital signs to determine if treatment can be administered safely to the patient during a scheduled appointment.
  3. Differentiate between normal and abnormal visual cues and vital signs in patients with special needs.

Ellen Gohlke

Ellen Gohlke RDH, BSDH, FSCDH

This discussion will provide practical information about how to communicate well with individuals with special needs. Strategies for setting behavioral expectations, including the use of positive reinforcement and encouragement will be discussed.  Practical tips for knowing how to read the situation and the patient’s reaction will be shared, with an emphasis on maintaining patient respect, cooperation and safety.  Assessing patient safety is a critical element to managing patients with special needs who are at high risk for medical emergencies.

The participant will be able to:

  1. Describe how to set expectations with the patient for cooperation during the dental visit.
  2. Discuss the use of positive reinforcement and encouragement for gaining cooperation.
  3. Identify safety concerns that increase risk for a medical emergency with related risk reduction strategies.

Kathleen Moralez

Kathleen Moralez CDA, EMT

This discussion will focus on treating individuals with special needs with kindness, respect and compassion.  Emphasis will be placed on helping dental professionals learn how to read challenging practice situations without judging the patient or themselves.   Listeners will learn about how to connect with others through empathy. The joys and personal rewards of working with individuals with special needs will be highlighted.

The participant will be able to:

  1. Describe a humanistic approach to caring for individuals with special needs.
  2. Discuss how to connect with others through empathy.
  3. Discuss the personal rewards of caring for individuals with special needs.

Timothy Lukavsky

Timothy Lukavsky DDS, FSCD

The decision to use sedation to provide dental care to patients with special needs is based on a variety of factors that vary with the individual.  The amount and complexity of required dental work are important variables, as are behavioral and financial considerations.  This program will review how to determine when sedation is indicated, associated advantages and disadvantages, and different levels of sedation that can be used in the dental setting.

The participant will be able to:

  1. Identify the indications for sedation
  2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sedation
  3. Review the different levels of sedation that can be provided in an outpatient setting

Mai-Ly Duong

Mai-Ly Duong DMD, MPH, MAEd

This discussion will describe the necessary equipment and facilities required to safely and appropriately treat people with special needs. In addition, strategies to address financial challenges and barriers will be discussed.

Participants will be able to:

  1. List the unique equipment utilized in special care dentistry
  2. Describe the necessary facilities to treat patients with special needs
  3. Identify strategies to address financial barriers to care

Maureen Munnelly Perry

Maureen Munnelly Perry DDS, MPA, MAEd

Ann Eshenaur Spolarich

Ann Eshenaur Spolarich RDH, PhD, FSCDH, Professor and Assistant Dean for Research, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University

More courses with Ann Eshenaur Spolarich

Ann Eshenaur Spolarich is an internationally recognized author and speaker on pharmacology and the care of medically complex patients.  She has presented over 1,000 invited lectures and has over 125 professional publications.  She is Professor, Course Director of Oral Medicine and Pharmacology, and Assistant Dean for Research at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University (ATSU), where she teaches part-time in the Special Care Clinic.  Ann is also a faculty member in the NYU Langone AEGD residency program at ATSU.  Ann was awarded fellowship status in special care dental hygiene in 2016 and received the Education Award in 2021 from the Special Care Dentistry Association.

Financial disclosure: Ann Eshenaur Spolarich has received an honorarium from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Scott Howell

Scott Howell DMD, MPH, FSCD

More courses with Scott Howell

Dr. Scott Howell is an assistant professor and Director of Teledentistry at A. T. Still University, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health. He has worked in a variety of settings for people with special needs including group homes, long term care facilities, and in traditional dental clinics. Dr. Howell currently works in public health addressing the access to care issues faced by a variety of underserved populations, including those with special needs.  He is a member of the Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA), from which he received his fellowship in Special Care Dentistry (FSCD) and is currently serving as SCDA’s treasurer.

Financial disclosure: Scott Howell has received an honorarium from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Karen Fallone

Karen Fallone RDH, FSCDH

More courses with Karen Fallone

Karen Fallone graduated from the dental hygiene program at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York in 1982.  She has 31 years of experience in working with patients with special needs.  Prior to working in the Special Care Clinic at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, she was employed in a hospital dental clinic at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester.  She is a regular volunteer with Special Olympics. Karen was awarded fellowship status in special care dental hygiene by the Special Care Dentistry Association in 2017.

Financial disclosure: Karen Fallone has received an honorarium from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Ellen Gohlke

Ellen Gohlke RDH, BSDH, FSCDH

More courses with Ellen Gohlke

Ellen Gohlke graduated in 1984 from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. She has practiced in all fields of Dentistry throughout the last 35 years. For the past nine years, Ellen has worked exclusively in special care dentistry.  In 2019, Ellen was awarded fellowship status in special care dental hygiene by the Special Care Dentistry Association.

Financial disclosure: Ellen Gohlke has received an honorarium from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Kathleen Moralez

Kathleen Moralez CDA, EMT

More courses with Kathleen Moralez

Kathleen Moralez has been a certified dental assistant for 35 years and a certified emergency medical technician for 5 years. She has worked in special care dentistry for 14 years. Kathy assists faculty and dental students with caring for patients with special needs, including those who are undergoing sedation. She is responsible for maintaining the equipment used in medical emergencies and helps to teach dental students about the management of medical emergencies in the dental setting.

Financial disclosure: Kathleen Moralez has received an honorarium from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Timothy Lukavsky

Timothy Lukavsky DDS, FSCD

More courses with Timothy Lukavsky

Timothy Lukavsky, DDS, FSCD, graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry and currently serves as the Director of Special Care Dentistry at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University. Tim volunteers his time with Special Olympics and leading dental mission trips to Mexico. He is a fellow in Special Care Dentistry (FSCD).

Financial disclosure: Timothy Lukavsky has received an honorarium from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Mai-Ly Duong

Mai-Ly Duong DMD, MPH, MAEd

More courses with Mai-Ly Duong

Mai-Ly Duong, DMD, MPH, MAEd is Associate Professor and Associate Director of Special Care Dentistry at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health. A.T. Still University. In addition to her dental school training, she received a certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry from NYU Lutheran Medical Center. She is trained in sedation dentistry, as well as in treating patients who have special needs and complex medical conditions.  Mai-Ly is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and Special Care Dentistry (FSCD). She is active in numerous professional organizations, including serving on the Arizona Dental Foundation Board of Directors, Special Care Dentistry Association national board, and serves as the Arizona Chair of the Oral Cancer Foundation.

Financial disclosure: Mai-Ly Duong has received an honorarium from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Maureen Munnelly Perry

Maureen Munnelly Perry DDS, MPA, MAEd

More courses with Maureen Munnelly Perry

Dr. Maureen Perry is Professor and Director of the Center for Advanced Oral Health at the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH). A.T. Still University. She completed a 3-year hospital residency focused on treating patients with medically complex conditions, behavioral health issues, developmental disabilities, and geriatric patients. Dr. Perry is a fellow of Special Care Dentistry and is a diplomate of the American Board of Special Care Dentistry. She is a past president of the Special Care Dental Association and has served as the U.S. council member for the International Association for Disability & Oral Health.

Financial disclosure: Maureen Munnelly Perry has received an honorarium from Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Language: EnglishStart date: March 6, 2020Expiration date: March 6, 2023