People with learning disabilities and specialist services.
Valuing people and Valuing people's oral health both advocate choice and inclusion for people with learning disabilities. Research suggests that services and policy and guidance, while prescriptive and available, have not been effective in reducing oral health inequalities for people with learning disabilities. There is a risk that specialist services led by newly created consultants in special care dentistry may have the unintended effect of reducing choice if general dental practitioners are encouraged to refer all those with learning disabilities. A modified model of access is proposed that primary care organisations could use as a commissioning tool for dental contracts to facilitate choice and maximise involvement in oral health care for those with learning disabilities.
Department of Oral Health and Development, University of Sheffield, School of Clinical Dentistry, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA. jan.owens@sheffi eld.ac.uk
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Owens
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Dyer
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Mistry
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003284:Contract Services; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities; D020380:Needs Assessment; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013218:State Dentistry; D006113:United Kingdom