Protecting All Children's Teeth (PACT): Special Needs

Abstract Protecting All Children's Teeth (PACT) was created by the AAP Oral Health Initiative to educate medical students, residents, pediatric primary care providers, and others interested in infant, child, and adolescent health about the importance of oral health in overall health. The curriculum provides in depth coverage of child oral health, oral health guidance, and preventive care to increase comfort in recognizing dental disease and conditions and communicate with dental professionals. The 13 modules of the PACT training program comprehensively address oral health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral health disease in children. Approximately 18% of US children and youth have a special health care need. Many of these conditions, including mental retardation, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, craniofacial abnormalities, and seizure disorders, can impact a child's oral health. By understanding the potential barriers to oral health care and the consequences of poor oral health in children with special health care needs, health professionals can identify at-risk patients early, provide anticipatory guidance, refer to appropriate dental professionals, and assist patients and families in overcoming barriers to accessing and utilizing care. The PACT Oral Health Curriculum has been in use since 2007 by physicians in training at the medical school and residency levels, as well as those in clinical practice. The content has been used by Pediatric, Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine physician training programs, as well as by Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Dentists and Dental Hygienists in training and in clinical practice.