Dental Care

There’s a lot more to good dental health than a beautiful smile. Healthy teeth and gums are important to one’s overall health. Poor oral health may lead to cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, and other general health problems.

Dental care is especially important for people with disabilities, who not only may have unique dental needs but also have difficulty accessing dental services. The 2000 Report of the Surgeon General on Oral Health in America found that the elderly population, people with mental retardation and those with other disabilities have more dental disease, more missing teeth, and more difficulty obtaining dental care than other members of the general population. In many states, disabled citizens have no access to basic oral health care, such as treatment of infected teeth or gums.

Almost two thirds of community-based residential facilities report having inadequate access to dental care. An estimated 70 percent of the nation’s two million plus nursing home population has dental problems including ill-fitting dentures, tooth loss and poor oral hygiene.
 
Excessively wet or dry mouth, spasticity, head and neck injuries and ventilators present special challenges to oral hygiene for people with disabilities. People in wheelchairs may have to deal with a transfer to the dental setting. All in all, a routine trip to the dentist may be anything but.

Consumers or caregivers are advised to find the most qualified dental practices with expertise with patients with disabilities. Dental schools may offer referrals. The local branch of the American Dental Association may be able to refer a dentist experienced in treating people with disabilities.