Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
March 2009
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Electronic ISSN:
1754-2758
Vol:
10
Issue:
1

Oral health risk assessment of adults with learning disabilities: (2) Attitudes of dentists and care staff

Abstract Aim: To compare dentists’ and care staff attitudes regarding the importance of elements that might contribute to an oral health risk assessment (OHRA) protocol for adults with learning disabilities in Scotland. Materials and methods: Postal survey of: dentists employed in the Community Dental Service in Scotland, plus consultants and directors as well as general dental practitioners, a sample of Care Home staff, and other care staff. Respondents rated the importance of 39 OHRA elements covering four themes: care (9 items); risk factors (16 items); follow–up (7 items); and integration (7 items). Results: Response rates were 71% (179/253) for dentists; 69% (36/ 52) for the care home sample, and 31% (10/32) for other social care contacts. A Principle Components Analysis was used to allocate items to four scales covering attitudes towards care issues (e.g. communication problems), risk factors (e.g. swallowing difficulties), follow-up (e.g. named individual responsible for follow-up), and integration (e.g. involvement of other professionals in assessment). Respondents in both the dental and care staff groups tended to rate most items as important. However, care staff placed more importance on elements in the follow-up and integration scales. Care staff also rated the value of an ORHA tool more highly, although again both groups were generally positive. Conclusion: Results suggest that care staff were in tune with the aims of current government policy regarding development of comprehensive and shared assessment arrangements, while dentists tended to view assessment as a stand-alone examination. However, the generally positive attitude towards OHRA suggests that there is support for further development of risk assessment as an aid to prevention and treatment planning.

Key words: Learning disability, assessment, oral health

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
18
Page End
24
Authors
S.Turner, T. Lamont, H. Chesser, L. Curtice, K. Gordon, S Manton, A. Martin, T. Welbury, M.P. Sweeney

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial
  2. 1
  3. 1

  1. A survey of the quality and quantity of Special Care Dentistry teaching, including Gerodontology, in dental schools of the United Kingdom and Ireland
  2. 3
  3. 10

  1. Oral Health Assessment 1.pdf
  2. 11
  3. 17

  1. Oral health risk assessment of adults with learning disabilities: (2) Attitudes of dentists and care staff
  2. 18
  3. 24

  1. A preliminary investigation into aspects of oral health of Bangladeshi young adults with a learning disability in Tower Hamlets
  2. 25
  3. 35

  1. Management of exaggerated gag reflex using conscious sedation techniques in endodontic therapy - a pilot study
  2. 36
  3. 40

  1. Locked-in syndrome: A case report
  2. 41
  3. 43

  1. A tribute Jane Chalmers
  2. 47
  3. 47

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