Oral Self-Injurious Behaviors in Patients with Developmental Disabilities

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Dental Clinics of North America

Abstract

Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) in patients who have developmental disabilities is a complex disorder, and its underlying etiologies are poorly understood. SIB is a significant factor in hospitalizations, decisions to use psychotropic medications, and institutional placement for people who have developmental disabilities. Because this group often manifests oral SIB, the dentist may be the first professional called upon to evaluate a patient. Dental therapy focuses on symptomatic treatment to minimize tissue damage caused by SIB, but addressing the underlying impetus for the behavior is essential for successful treatment. Determining definitive therapeutic interventions is difficult because of the mixed bio behavioral etiologies for SIB. This complication necessitates a team approach that includes medical and behavioral specialists. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

First Page

339

Last Page

350

DOI

10.1016/j.cden.2008.12.015

Publication Date

4-1-2009

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