Strategies for Improving the Oral Health System of Care for Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs

This fact sheet provides strategies that allow health professionals to plan, develop, and implement efforts to ensure that children and adolescents with special health care needs (SHCN) receive optimal oral health care. It details six strategic areas of focus of oral health care for children and adolescents with SHCN. The fact sheet explains the importance of personal oral health maintenance by families, active oral health promotion and disease prevention by health professionals, improvement of insurance coverage and reimbursement, connecting families with both a dental and medical home, and coordinated efforts needed by State and local oral health programs. This publication is available for U.S. requests only.