Access to special care dentistry, part 4. Education

• Published in: British dental journal Vol. 205; no. 3; pp. 119 - 130
• Main Authors: Fiske, J, Dougall, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 09.08.2008; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Caregivers; Caregivers - education; Dental Care for Chronically Ill; Dental Care for Disabled; Dentistry; Disability; Disease prevention; Education; Education, Dental; Health Education, Dental; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Medical personnel; Medicine; Middle age; Motor ability; Oral diseases; Oral hygiene; Oral Hygiene - instrumentation; Oral Hygiene - methods; Patient Education as Topic; practice; Self Care; Skills; Teams; Time Factors; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 0007-0610; 1476-5373
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.652

Key Points Many groups of patients with disabilities have a higher risk of oral disease. Understanding how various conditions affect an individual's ability to manage their oral hygiene can make the difference between a person being reliant on a carer and being able to retain at least a degree of independence. There are now many opportunities for postgraduate study for dentists to refresh their knowledge and skill base. Many groups of patients with disabilities have a higher risk of oral disease due to compromised oral hygiene as a consequence of their impairment, oral manifestations of their particular condition and/or the side effects of drug regimes, notably xerostomia and sugar in medicines. This article looks at education related to oral health and its management for both patients and carers. It will encourage a tailored routine for oral hygiene, taking account of the best time of day for the person concerned, the facilities available to them, appropriate preventive measures and the support and adaptations required to minimise the effect their impairment has on managing their oral hygiene. Additionally, it considers educational issues for the dental team related to some elements of managing oral health of people with disability, the dental team's responsibility in educating other health professionals and the availability of undergraduate and postgraduate education in special care dentistry.