Limites e desafios no atendimento odontológico aos pacientes com síndrome de down: revisão da literatura

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Down syndrome (DS) or trisomy 21 is a genetic condition determined by the most common chromosomal alteration (chromosomal disease) in humans, resulting from the presence of an extra chromosome 21, which determines specific physical characteristics and developmental delay, being the main cause of intellectual disability in the population, first described by the pediatrician John Langdon Down in 1866, entitled as “Mongolian idiocy”. DS patients require individualized dental treatment. However, few dentists are prepared to attend to this group, which makes dental treatment more difficult, mainly due to little knowledge and/or lack of interest in knowing the main oral alterations. OBJECTIVE: The general objective of this study is to identify in the current literature what has been produced regarding the main limits and challenges in dental care for patients with Down Syndrome. METHODOLOGY: This is a bibliographic, exploratory study carried out through a literature review. The following virtual health databases were used, specifically the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Information System (LILACS), National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), from 2010 to 2022. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that children with Down Syndrome have a higher prevalence of dental and oral problems, as well as a higher risk of medical problems with consequences for oral health, which suggests that they need continuous support from oral health professionals, that is, they need individualized dental treatment. Therefore, it was demonstrated that in addition to the lack of professionals, the main challenges faced by pediatric dentists are due to the children's non-collaboration, such as being restless, screaming, crying, hindering and delaying the quality of their care, making it a challenge for this professional. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: In view of these results, it is concluded that it is up to these professionals to be specialized and to be able to care for these patients, have a good adaptation, attainable goals and work in a multidisciplinary team.