Table 3.160.
Key considerations for dental management in visual impairment (see text)
| Management modifications* | Comments/possible complications | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk assessment | 1 | Underlying disease; unexpected movements |
| Appropriate dental care | 1 | Communication |
| Pain and anxiety control | ||
| – Local anaesthesia | 1 | Pain intolerance |
| – Conscious sedation | 0 | |
| – General anaesthesia | 0 | |
| Patient access and positioning | ||
| – Access to dental office | 1 | Assist appropriately |
| – Timing of treatment | 0 | |
| – Patient positioning | 0 | |
| Treatment modification | ||
| – Oral surgery | 0 | |
| – Implantology | 0 | |
| – Conservative/Endodontics | 0 | |
| – Fixed prosthetics | 1 | Impaired oral hygiene |
| – Removable prosthetics | 1 | Patient's manual ability; prosthesis tolerance |
| – Non-surgical periodontology | 0 | |
| – Surgical periodontology | 0 | |
| Hazardous and contraindicated drugs | 1/2 | Atropine, scopolamine and glycopyrrolate are contraindicated, especially in open angle glaucoma. Carbamazepine, diazepam, steroids and tricyclics may also be contraindicated |
*
0 = No special considerations. 1 = Caution advised. 2 = Specialised medical advice recommended in some cases. 3 = Specialised medical advice mandatory. 4 = Only to be performed in hospital environment. 5 = Should be avoided.