Patient Management
Monica V. Maldonado, DDS (she/her/hers)
Pediatric Postgraduate Student
Universidad de los Andes
Universidad de los Andes
Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile
Valeria Jadue, Dr
Universidad de los Andes
Andrea Ormeño, Dr
Universidad de los Andes
Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile
Introduction: Martin Bell Syndrome is a hereditary condition that cause a neurodevelopmental disorder, associated with intellectual and cognitive difficulties. The behavior management for these patients can be difficult but using the correct adaptation technique a successful dental treatment can be executed.
Case report: a 10-year-old male patient Frankl 1 with Martin Bell Syndrome, attended for a dental evaluation, with emphasis on a future orthopedic treatment. A preliminary intraoral exam was difficult to be assessed due to behavior, but at a first sight no caries were observed and a maxillary compression was clinically diagnosed. Different behavior techniques were used, but animal-assisted therapy (AAT) was the most effective one for the patient, changing patient’s behavior to Frankl 3. With the help of the therapy dog different preventive measurements could be done, such as sealants and fluor application. It is planned that with more adaptation sessions and the use of AAT, other treatments can be performed, such as a palatal expander to correct the patient’s maxillary compression, using an intraoral digital scan with the purpose to avoid conventional impressions that can be uncomfortable and the adaptation achieved with the patient can be lost. The use of AAT was effective for behavioral management for the patient with Martin Bell syndrome, allowing to perform different preventive treatments and it is expected that his behavior will continue to improve in order to carry out rehabilitative treatments.