A Survey of Dental Services Provided to People with Learning Disabilities in the Northern Health and Social Services Board Area

Abstract

A survey of dental services for people with learning disabilities was undertaken as part of the Board's ongoing programme of service monitoring. The choice of topic was influenced by changes within dentistry regarding the administration of general anaesthetics, and by proposed changes in the patient population of Muckamore Abbey Hospital (North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust). Information was obtained primarily through questionnaires from people with learning disabilities who were living in the community and from general dental practitioners. Information was also sought from the three trusts providing a dental service in the area. The survey found that both patients with learning disability and dentists treating them would benefit from more specialist information and training.

Citation

Barr, M., Kane, M., Keenan, K. and Cullen, J. (2003), "A Survey of Dental Services Provided to People with Learning Disabilities in the Northern Health and Social Services Board Area", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 4-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/13595474200300012