Gene Therapy for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: Feasibility and Obstacles.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare and devastating genetic disease, in which soft connective tissue is converted into heterotopic bone through an endochondral ossification process. Patients succumb early as they gradually become trapped in a second skeleton of heterotopic bone. Although the underlying genetic defect is long known, the inherent complexity of the disease has hindered the discovery of effective preventions and treatments.

From Restraint to Medical Immobilization/Protective Stabilization.

Clinical dental treatment is the most exacting and demanding medical procedure that persons with special needs undergo on a regular basis throughout their lifetime. Dental treatment is surgical in nature, usually requiring controlled placement of sharpened instrumentation in intimate proximity to the face, airway, and highly vascularized and inner aged oral tissues. Although approximately 90% of patients with special needs can and should be mainstreamed through any general dental practice, without significant behavioral guidance, techniques, or medical immobilization/protective stabilization, there has been a drastic shift toward pharmacologic management of these patients using various forms of sedation and general anesthesia.

Transition to adult dental care from a pediatric hospital dental home for patients with special health care needs.

Aims: This study describes patients with complex Special Health Care Needs (SHCN) transitioning from a pediatric hospital clinic dental home to adult care and evaluates effectiveness of transition practices.

Methods And Results: Demographics, medical/behavioral complexity, and documentation of transition processes were collected for patients graduated from the service in 2018/2019. An invitation to complete a survey assessing transition was sent to patients/guardians ≥ 14 months after the final visit.

Special considerations for clinical trials in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP).

Clinical trials for orphan diseases are critical for developing effective therapies. One such condition, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP; MIM#135100), is characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification (HO) that leads to severe disability. Individuals with FOP are extremely sensitive to even minor traumatic events.

Educational and therapeutic behavioral approaches to providing dental care for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Purpose: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition which most dentists will encounter in their practices. Contemporary educational and behavioral approaches may facilitate successful dental care.

Methods: A literature review was conducted for relevant information on dental care for children with ASD.

A new classification system for dental treatment under general anesthesia.

The provision of comprehensive care for patients with special needs using dental general anesthesia (DGA) has changed over time, and now includes more complex procedures and the participation of many services. As a result, it is necessary to integrate, organize and describe all of the procedures that are carried out in different DGA settings. The aim of this study was to propose a systematic classification for dental treatment procedures be delivered under DGA, and to compare this classification system with an existing system.