Dental Care for Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for the Dental Practice Team

Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and increases the risk of a range of medical problems that may have implications for oral health. Children diagnosed with Down syndrome should be signposted to dental services as part of their schedule of health checks. To ensure that appropriate access and support are available from the dental team, it is important that dental professionals are familiar with medical and dental conditions and characteristics that occur with increased frequency in patients with Down syndrome. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality likely to present in clinical dental practice. This paper provides guidance for dental professionals for dental checks and surveillance of the developing dentition for children with Down syndrome.