DENTAL CARE FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN REEXAMINED: II – DIMENSIONS OF DENTAL PRACTICE ⁺

Book Reviews

“…Equally well known are the extremely high caries rates found in Canterbury and Trondelag. The children's (aged 8-9) and students' (aged [13][14] data serve to compare the restorative (Canterbury and Trondelag) versus primary preventive (Baltimore) approaches to equalizing health. Data are also presented on students' oral-facial deformities, oral hygiene status, periodontal disease levels, and treatment needs.…”

Usefulness of a Statewide Referral Directory of Dentists Found Willing to Treat Disabled Persons

“…A University of Washington survey of patients with disabilities found that 73 percent of respondents reported not having received regular dental care in the past (9). Frequently cited obstacles to receiving dental care for disabled individuals include architectural barriers, transportation difficulties, cost, and unwillingness on the part of dentists to provide treatment (1,lO Several studies have indicated unwillingness on the part of dentists to treat patients who have disabilities (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Leviton (15) reported that of approximately 12,000 dentists surveyed by the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped, fewer than 2,400 (20 percent) responded that they were willing to treat disabled patients.…”

“…Reluctance on the part of dentists to treat disabled patients has been attributed to inadequate knowledge and training, lack of sensitivity (16), lack of confidence (14), inadequate remuneration for time spent (14,17), and the belief that special facilities and equipment are required to treat disabled patients (14). Most patients who have disabilities, however, can be treated successfully in a private office without much special equipment During the past decade a considerable amount of money was spent on strategies for improving access to dental care for persons with disabilities (9,ll).…”

Costs of providing dental services to adult mentally retarded: a preliminary report.

“…Further, most communities have no organized plan for addressing the dental needs of the mentally retarded and so, the majority of these individuals have great difficulty in identifying dentists willing to provide them with care.5 Lack of appropriate training, problems of patient management, and the inability to obtain fees commensurate with the time and effort required to treat this group are reasons often cited by dentists for their unwillingness to treat the mentally retarded. 6 This paper reports on the experience of a community hospital-based group dental practice in providing care to deinstitutionalized mentally retarded adults. The orientation of this program is briefly discussed and the method used to determine program cost is presented.…”