Cultural diversity: caring for minority children with mental retardation and other disabilities.

Providing services for minority group children with mental retardation and other disabilities can challenge the abilities of any dental practitioner. The added challenge, however, is for the practitioner to recognize and understand the different cultures which can and do affect the relationships between the practitioner, the patient, the family, and the care that is provided. An introduction is provided to these complex and diverse minority group family settings which increasingly are becoming a component of our communities.