A 10-year longitudinal report of case of an institutionalized autistic male dental patient is described. Interpretation of the data in the clinical and medical charts during this period points to possible clues to facilitating treatment for autistic individuals. One potentially important finding is the apparent inverse relationship that was found between level of sedation and patient cooperation. The impact of the specific medical diagnosis on the comprehensive care for these patients is also addressed.
SUMMARY
People have long found the dental situation stressful. This is doubly true for mentally handicapped patients who may not understand the necessity of dental procedures. Attempts to develop means of reducing excessive anxiety and stress in these patients will benefit not only the patients but also make the dentist's task easier to accomplish. This study evaluates music as a distraction and relaxation technique in 24 mentally handicapped adults.
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