A survey of the availability of dental services to developmentally disabled persons residing in the community.
Public Law 88-164, enacted in 1963, has led to extensive deinstitutionalization of persons with mental retardation from a peak census of 194,650 in 1967 to 91,440 by 1988. This population now depends on the community-based health care system for medical and dental care. A survey conducted to determine the availability of dental care to the developmentally disabled residing in group homes located in north central Florida indicated that 40% of caretakers experienced difficulty in locating dentists willing to provide comprehensive dental services for residents. According to the caretakers, although 75% of the residents were cooperative dental patients, dentists were reluctant to provide services for a variety of reasons, including financial disincentives, inadequate knowledge and preparation, and a lack of proper equipment necessary to treat this group of special patients.
Burtner
A P
AP
Department of Commmunity Dentistry, University of Florida, J Hillis Miller Health Center, College of Dentistry, Gainesville 32610, USA.
Jones
J S
JS
McNeal
D R
DR
Low
D W
DW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D003190:Comprehensive Dental Care; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005431:Florida; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008875:Middle Aged; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms