Contextualising disability and dentistry: challenging perceptions and removing barriers

Abstract

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Challenges experienced in the dental care of persons with special needs: a qualitative study among health professionals and caregivers

“…These calls were based on the stories of dentists who had negative experiences themselves, and who, although they were willing to treat patients with disabilities, generally felt that they either lacked the knowledge or tools to perform the treatment safely in either the public or private setting. This discomfort by dentists in the treatment of patients with special needs was also found in recent literature [ 5 , 7 , 16 ]. Additionally, dentists discussed the lack of cooperation of patients with disabilities and the reduced treatment options which were available.…”

“…At a broader level, the inequalities in the delivery of oral healthcare have been shown in the barriers faced when accessing dental care at the primary level which has led to both the prevalence of disease and unmet dental needs of PWDs [ 5 , 21 ]. These findings provide critical insights into the design and implementation of dental services to address these social, institutional and relational issues affecting the dental treatment of PWDs.…”

“…Research in this field however, is particularly needed, given the reduced capability for persons with intellectual disability to provide self-care and by extension their own oral care [ 2 ]. While it is clear that oral diseases experienced by PWDs are the same as those without [ 3 , 4 ] there is limited research on some of the barriers they encounter when utilizing dental services [ 5 ]. Recent research on the barriers that caregivers of people with special needs encounter, include, but are not limited to, inaccessibility to buildings or facilities, discrimination by healthcare staff and lack of information, also strengthen the need for this type of research [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Facilitating patient-centred care for special care dentistry patients: A Quality Improvement Project in the Community Dental Service

“…The evidence would suggest that the poorer oral health outcomes experienced by disabled people are more likely to be as a result of barriers to accessing dental services and receiving dental treatment. [8][9][10][11] An extensive range of potential barriers which may prevent disabled people from accessing dental care and maintaining their oral health in an equitable manner to non-disabled people have been identified, including; difficulties with communication, social isolation, lack of suitable transport arrangements, poor mobility, sensory impairments, cognitive impairment, anxiety, poor manual dexterity, physical inability to tolerate conventional dental treatment and learning disability. 12 The Equality Act UK 2010 requires all service providers, including dental professionals, not to discriminate against people with disabilities by providing inadequate facilities or services at a poorer standard or in a worse manner than would be available for other members of the population.…”

“…The evidence would suggest that the poorer oral health outcomes experienced by disabled people are more likely to be as a result of barriers to accessing dental services and receiving dental treatment. 8 – 11 …”