Access to Dental Services for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) have poorer oral health than the general population. Evidence shows these children are at a disadvantage in accessing dental services due to barriers that include physical inaccessibility of the service, lack of awareness of importance of oral health, costs incurred by carers and difficulties in making appointments. Further barriers are associated with dental practitioners lacking understanding of communication difficulties, behavioural issues and concomitant disabilities of these children, and their limited training and experience, giving rise to little confidence and effective management of children with IDD. Though not specific to IDD, Australian dental practice policies address full participation of children with disability in services. Despite these policies, children with IDD continue to face barriers in accessing dental services.