A comfortable experience for all

Latest statistics estimate that approximately 14.6 million people in the UK had a disability in 2020/2021.[i] As around 22% of the total UK population present with a disability, it is likely that you have treated patients who require a different approach to care, to ensure they receive the attention they need.

As you know, there are numerous barriers to appropriate dental care for individuals with a disability, both at home and in practice. The dental team must work together to ensure that all patients are able to overcome these barriers, so they can enjoy good oral health for life.

Disability and oral health

The Equality Act states that ‘a person has a disability if [they have] a physical or mental impairment’, and if said impairment ‘has a substantial and long-term adverse effect’ on an individual’s ability to conduct normal day-to-day activities.[ii] There are numerous types of disabilities that a person can have, which may fall under: mental health condition, learning difficulty, hearing loss, visual impairment, mobility impairment and/or disfigurement.[iii] Are those with a disability already at risk of oral health issues? Various studies have supported the argument that those with intellectual disabilities experience a lower standard of oral health,[iv] with a significant deterioration to oral health noted when moving from childhood to adulthood (potentially due to increased independence).[v] Another study found that, regardless of the type of disability, those who are disabled generally present with poorer oral health than those who are not.[vi] There are various explanations as to why this may be the case, including manual dexterity, socioeconomic status (SES) and carers’/family members’ oral health literacy.^vi The dental team provide much support to disabled individuals and/or their carers on how best to manage oral health at home, with advice and recommendations – but is there more that can be done?

Accessibility is another factor that can bar disabled individuals from accessing oral care.[vii] This encompasses not only the geographical distance from their home to the dental clinic, but also whether the dental clinic itself is able to accommodate any additional needs they may have. Individuals may be deterred if they feel they cannot navigate the space with ease, and whether the dental team will be understanding. As such, it is imperative to ensure that the dental practice is able to accommodate a range of individual needs and requirements

How can you help?

Before entering the building, wheelchair users, those who use walking sticks and/or have a visual impairment may struggle navigating the premises if suitable adjustments have not been made, such as the inclusion of ramps and/or handrails. Further, uneven surfaces could present as a hazard, too. Within the practice, facilities should be clearly signposted and clear of obstruction. The waiting room should provide sufficient space for all patients to safely manoeuvre around, with clear and uncomplicated signage. For the hard of hearing, a hearing loop could be fitted to help these individuals – minimising as much noise as possible from the surgery room may also help to avoid confusion and allow the individual to communicate clearly. No two dental practices are the same, and certain adjustments may be easier to make than others, but it is important that all patients are able to access dental care, and clinicians have a duty to ensure that their services are as accessible as possible. Within the surgery itself, space is more limited and this may present as an anxiety for disabled patients. Each patient will need a unique approach to care, and so clinicians should discuss with them any modifications they and/or their carer may need.

It is vital that the equipment within the practice is able to accommodate additional patient needs, while still providing a great performance. Dental equipment has come a long way over the years, with new innovative designs that are aimed at improving comfort for patients. This includes dental chairs, which for certain patients may be difficult to get in and out of. Clark Dental provides a range of state-of-the-art solutions that are ergonomically designed to provide a more comfortable patient experience. This includes the A-dec 500 dental chair, a comprehensive system that grants you the freedom to treat patients the way you want to. Featuring precise, hydraulic motion for gentle stops and starts, there are no jarring movements so those with physical impairments are aided when getting in and out of the chair. The virtual pivot synchronises motion with the natural movement of the patient, so no need for readjusting. The A-dec 500 has been attentively designed with purpose – to provide an unparalleled experience for every patient.

Oral care, accessible for all

All patients are deserving of quality health care. Disabled individuals face a host of barriers in their day-to-day life, which can make even the most basic activities challenging. Clinicians are in a prime position to ensure that all patients can access the care they deserve.

For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

Stuart Clark- Managing Director Clark Dental

[i] UK Parliament. (2022). UK disability statistics: Prevalence and life experiences. [online] Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9602/#:~:text=How%20many%20people%20have%20a,the%202020%2F21%20financial%20year. [Accessed 13 Jan. 2023].

[ii] GOV.UK (2010). Equality Act 2010. [online] Legislation.gov.uk. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/6 [Accessed 13 Jan. 2023].

[iii] SHL. (2021). Definitions of Disability | SHL. [online] Available at: https://www.shl.com/legal/disability-guidelines-uk/definitions-of-disability/ [Accessed 13 Jan. 2023].

[iv] Ward, L.M., Cooper, S.A., Hughes‐McCormack, L., Macpherson, L. and Kinnear, D. (2019). Oral health of adults with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, [online] 63(11), pp.1359–1378. doi:10.1111/jir.12632.

[v] Waldron, C., MacGiolla Phadraig, C., Nunn, J., Comiskey, C., Donnelly-Swift, E., Guerin, S. and Clarke, M.J. (2017). Oral hygiene programmes for people with intellectual disabilities. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6478189/ [Accessed 13 Jan. 2023].

[vi] Lee, J.-Y., Lim, K.-C., Kim, S.-Y., Paik, H.-R., Kim, Y.-J. and Jin, B.-H. (2019b). Oral health status of the disabled compared with that of the non-disabled in Korea: A propensity score matching analysis. PLOS ONE, [online] 14(1), p.e0208246. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0208246 [Accessed 13 Jan. 2023].

[vii] Hansen, C., Curl, C. and Geddis-Regan, A. (2021). Barriers to the provision of oral health care for people with disabilities. BDJ In Practice, [online] 34(3), pp.30–34. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41404-021-0675-x [Accessed 13 Jan. 2023].