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Speaker: Dr. Sharat Pani & Dr. Clive Friedman

Abstract: The 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability reported that 6.2 million Canadians lived with disability, with estimates that this figure will only rise in the coming decade. Most of these individuals do not require dental care in a hospital setting and can be seen in most dental practices. The functional model of disability gives primacy to the ability of the individual to function and considers the pathologies associated with the disability in terms of how they limit function. This approach is codified in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Function (WHO-ICF). While most individuals with disabilities have traditionally been treated by Paediatric dentists, it is important for these individuals to have a regular dental home, even as they transition into adulthood. The Canadian Dental Association along with the Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health have used the functional model of disability to develop a Case Complexity Tool and a Transition tool to help clinicians integrate special care dentistry into their practices. This course aims to familiarize participants with the concept of the WHO-ICF and how these classifications can be used to objectively assess casecomplexity and pro.vision of dental care outside a hospital setting.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Use the WHO-ICF tool to assess the functional complexity of a patient with Special Healthcare Needs
2. Utilize different tools and resources to triage patients requiring hospital-based dentistry
3. Identify those aspects of continuing dental care that can be provided within conventional practice settings
4. Create a transition pathway for adolescents with special healthcare needs as they move away from their pediatric dentists

Tuition: $59/1.5 ADA CERP credit hours

Course Prerequisites: None required 
Course Format: Virtual Lecture
Conflict of Interest: None reported by speaker
Contact: Caitlin Laughlin at caitlin_laughlin@hsdm.harvard.edu
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation 7 days before the course will be eligible for full refund. No refund will be made within 7 days of the course initiation date. 

Harvard School of Dental Medicine is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. The Harvard School of Dental Medicine designated this activity for 1.5 continuing education credit.