How Speech Therapists and Dentists Can Work Together

Posted by Tim Tarks on October 6th, 2023

Speech therapists and dentists often collaborate to address oral and speech-related issues that affect a patient's overall well-being. Here are several ways in which speech therapists and dentists work together:

1. Oral Motor Skills: Speech therapists assess and treat oral motor skills, including tongue, lip, and jaw movements. Dentists can identify dental or oral structural issues that may impact these movements. Collaboratively, they can address concerns such as malocclusion (misalignment of teeth), dental prosthetics, or oral surgery that may be necessary to improve speech function.

2. Dental Hygiene and Speech: Poor dental hygiene can lead to oral health issues that affect speech production. Speech therapists may educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, while dentists can address dental problems that may be contributing to speech difficulties, such as dental decay or gum disease.

3. Orthodontics: Orthodontists, who are specialized dentists, may work with speech therapists to correct bite and alignment issues (e.g., overbites, underbites) that can impact speech clarity. Proper orthodontic treatment can facilitate better articulation and speech sound production.

4. Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia): Dentists and speech therapists collaborate in cases of tongue-tie, where the frenulum (the tissue beneath the tongue) is unusually short, restricting tongue movement. Dentists can perform a frenectomy to release the restriction, while speech therapists can work with patients to improve tongue mobility and speech patterns.

5. Dysphagia (Swallowing Disorders): Speech therapists often assess and treat dysphagia, which can result from various causes, including dental issues. Dentists may identify dental conditions (e.g., missing teeth, poorly fitting dentures) contributing to swallowing difficulties and collaborate with speech therapists on treatment plans.

6. Communication and Education: Speech therapists may educate patients about the importance of dental health for speech and overall well-being. This includes discussing the impact of dental conditions on speech clarity and offering strategies for maintaining oral hygiene.

7. Interdisciplinary Care: In complex cases, such as cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies, speech therapists, dentists, oral surgeons, and other healthcare professionals work together in interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care. This ensures that a patient's speech and dental needs are addressed holistically.

8. Treatment Planning: Dentists and speech therapists may collaborate on treatment plans for patients with both dental and speech-related concerns. For instance, they can coordinate the timing of dental procedures with speech therapy sessions to optimize outcomes.

9. Patient Referrals: Dentists may refer patients to speech therapists when they suspect speech or language issues related to oral anatomy or function. Similarly, speech therapists may refer patients to dentists for dental evaluations or treatments.

By working together, speech therapists and dentists can provide holistic care to patients, addressing both their speech and oral health needs. This collaboration ensures that individuals receive comprehensive treatment and support to improve their overall quality of life and communication abilities. Speech therapy worksheets, similar to therapy worksheets can help facilitate the process of dentists and speech therapists working together.