Practical protocols for the prevention of dental disease in community settings for people with special needs: the protocols.

People with special needs have more dental disease and more missing teeth than the general population. They also have reduced access to oral health diagnostic, preventive, interceptive and treatment services. If services are available, they can be complicated and costly. It is critical to prevent dental diseases in these individuals. This article presents a set of practical protocols for preventing dental disease in people with special needs. These protocols are designed to be used in community settings outside of a dental office.