Oral health is an essential component of overall health for all individuals. The oral health of children and youth with developmental disabilities involves unique characteristics of which dental clinicians can be aware. Risk for oral disease in CYDD is multifactorial and includes underlying medical conditions, medications, and ability to participate in preventive oral health care and treatment, and lack of access to providers is common for this population. The objectives of this lecture will be to:

• Examine the unique caries risk factors and periodontal risk factors in this population
• Recognize aspects of a child with developmental disabilities’ condition that may alter their oral health care, whether that is inherent to the condition itself or treatment of the condition. 
• Discuss the special considerations for dental treatment rendered under sedation or general anesthesia that children and youth with developmental disabilities may need.
• Explore how dentists can work with their medical colleagues to ensure that barriers to accessing oral health can in their community can be addressed.