Saúde bucal em crianças e adolescentes com deficiência visual

Abstract

Visual impairment in childhood and adolescence has been receiving increasing attention in the health field, although data on its prevalence remain scarce. Vision is a fundamental sense in human development, and when its loss or limitation occurs early in life, it can affect the development of motor, cognitive, and social skills. These challenges are also reflected in how children learn and perform oral self-care, making autonomy in this area a shared challenge between families and dental surgeons. This e-book brings together knowledge, reflections, and practical experiences related to the dental care of children and adolescents with visual impairment. It discusses the specificities of clinical management, communication strategies, health education, sensory adaptations, behavioral approaches, and proposals to make the dental environment more welcoming and accessible. In addition, we explore the role of teletriage as a complementary resource to support care. This work results from the collaboration between the Dentistry sector of the Instituto Benjamin Constant and researchers from UFRJ, with the aim of contributing to a more sensitive and inclusive clinical practice capable of promoting oral health with equity.