Educational Goals
Providing dental care to individuals
with disabilities may require increased awareness, attention and accommodation
by the dentist and dental staff, such as; frequent consultation with other
health care providers, communicating with patients who have a sensory impairment,
transfer of patient from wheelchair to dental chair, behavior management,
obtaining appropriate informed consent, proper airway positioning and
modifications to routine treatment procedures.
The primary objective of this
course is to provide dental professionals with an understanding of the
issues associated with providing oral health care to people who have disabilities. Specifically we intend to:
-
describe the changing demographic
and social status of people with disabilities.
-
identify barriers to accessing
dental care experienced by this segment of the population.
-
discuss oral health considerations
associated with major disabling conditions.
-
present practical clinical information
that will assist general dentists in providing appropriate dental care
in a safe manner to individuals who have a disability.
It is not the intent of this course
to suggest the general practitioner must provide treatment to "very resistant"
dental patients with "multiple and/or profound disabilities". These
patients are more appropriately treated in other settings by practitioners
with special training. However, the general practitioner should be
able to provide appropriate referral for such individuals.
