Home oral health practice: the foundation for desensitization and dental care for special needs.

As oral health is increasingly recognized as a foundation for health and wellness, caregivers for special needs patients are an essential component of the oral health team and must become knowledgeable and competent in home oral health practice. Education and training for caregivers should become a standard of care early in the first year of life for any child with developmental delay or any person, regardless of age, who experiences an illness or event that compromises their ability to provide self oral health care. Given the implication of poor oral health to general health and health care costs, home oral health practice is a significant factor in dental care, general health, quality of life, and controlling health care costs.