Study materialsCourse unit 4 of 7

Mock cases: behavior and special needs

Use original practice prompts to connect behavior guidance and complex patient needs.

90 minutes in 4 steps. Covers Behavior & pain guidance, Special health care needs.

Learning objectives

Justify behavior guidance and the treatment setting.
Plan accessible continuity of care through transition to adulthood.

Rehearse one step at a time

Full agenda and answer review

Step 1, 10 minutes
Reread the communication tips or watch part of a mock video.
Step 2, 30 minutes
Behavior-guidance case. No notes.
A 3-year-old at a first visit cries and refuses the exam. The mother is anxious. Early childhood caries on the upper incisors; no pain or swelling.
Change one thing
The mother asks for sedation right away. What do you assess and discuss before agreeing?
Show changed plan
Changed plan · authored self-check
- Assess the child and treatment need before committing to sedation: medical history, airway/sleep-disordered breathing, development, anxiety, and prior behavior guidance.
- Discuss basic guidance, staged or deferred care where appropriate, pharmacologic alternatives, risks, and consent. No pain or swelling allows planning, but does not remove the need to assess caries activity and pulp status.
- If sedation is selected, match the setting, staffing, monitoring, fasting, rescue skills, and recovery plan to the patient and intended depth; parental preference alone does not establish suitability.
Sources
- Behavior guidance
- Sedation monitoring
Review this theme and its sources
Step 3, 30 minutes
Special health care needs case, then the change in circumstances.
A 14-year-old with autism and epilepsy (on phenytoin) is minimally verbal and sensitive to light and noise. Poor hygiene, gingival overgrowth, and several carious lesions.
Change one thing
The family plans to move next year and wants to prepare early for adult dental care. How do you plan the transition?
Show changed plan
Changed plan · authored self-check
- Begin the handoff before the move: identify an adult dental home able to meet the patient’s communication, sensory, medical, and treatment needs.
- Share the medical/medication history, seizure plan, dental records, preventive needs, and adaptations that worked; coordinate with the family and medical team to avoid a gap in care.
- Assess the patient’s own decision-making capacity and applicable consent arrangements as adulthood approaches. Minimal speech does not establish incapacity, and a birthday alone does not establish a safe transfer.
Sources
- Special health care needs
- Consent
Review this theme and its sources
Step 4, 20 minutes
Debrief clarity, reasoning, safety, and follow-up. Re-answer the weakest question.

To finish

This is a short rehearsal, not a simulation of the official exam length.

Have these open

Behavior-guidance case. No notes.

A 3-year-old at a first visit cries and refuses the exam. The mother is anxious. Early childhood caries on the upper incisors; no pain or swelling.

Show changed plan

Changed plan · authored self-check

Assess the child and treatment need before committing to sedation: medical history, airway/sleep-disordered breathing, development, anxiety, and prior behavior guidance.
Discuss basic guidance, staged or deferred care where appropriate, pharmacologic alternatives, risks, and consent. No pain or swelling allows planning, but does not remove the need to assess caries activity and pulp status.
If sedation is selected, match the setting, staffing, monitoring, fasting, rescue skills, and recovery plan to the patient and intended depth; parental preference alone does not establish suitability.

Sources

Review this theme and its sources

Special health care needs case, then the change in circumstances.

A 14-year-old with autism and epilepsy (on phenytoin) is minimally verbal and sensitive to light and noise. Poor hygiene, gingival overgrowth, and several carious lesions.

Show changed plan

Changed plan · authored self-check

Begin the handoff before the move: identify an adult dental home able to meet the patient’s communication, sensory, medical, and treatment needs.
Share the medical/medication history, seizure plan, dental records, preventive needs, and adaptations that worked; coordinate with the family and medical team to avoid a gap in care.
Assess the patient’s own decision-making capacity and applicable consent arrangements as adulthood approaches. Minimal speech does not establish incapacity, and a birthday alone does not establish a safe transfer.

Sources

Review this theme and its sources

Learning objectives

Rehearse one step at a time

Reread the communication tips or watch part of a mock video.

Behavior-guidance case. No notes.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Special health care needs case, then the change in circumstances.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Debrief clarity, reasoning, safety, and follow-up. Re-answer the weakest question.

To finish

Have these open

Learning objectives

Rehearse one step at a time

Reread the communication tips or watch part of a mock video.

Behavior-guidance case. No notes.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Special health care needs case, then the change in circumstances.

Check your answer

Changed plan · authored self-check

Sources

Debrief clarity, reasoning, safety, and follow-up. Re-answer the weakest question.

To finish

Have these open