Oral health and supporting people with intellectual disabilities to get access to dental treatment
Resource
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Available to RCNi Plus subscribers
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Oral health is an important aspect of a person’s overall health and well-being. People with intellectual disabilities have poorer oral health than the general population, so it is essential that service users and their carers are supported to address this. This article provides information for nurses and other healthcare professionals on how to provide evidence-based practice that supports people with intellectual disabilities with their oral healthcare and assists them to access dental services. The authors examine the latest evidence about optimal practice in oral healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities, emphasising the importance of a person-centred approach. The article also discusses the barriers that people with intellectual disabilities experience when accessing dental services and how these barriers can be addressed.
Who is this resource for?
Explains what the component is for
This resource is aimed at nurses and nursing support workers across all settings and levels of practice, including students of health, social work and care professions.
Why you should read this article
to improve your knowledge of the barriers that people with intellectual disabilities experience when accessing dental services
to understand how to support people with intellectual disabilities with their oral healthcare
to familiarise yourself with latest evidence about optimal practice in oral healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors
The RCN delivers quality-assured and up-to-date resources for the nursing workforce. Reviewed annually, RCN Learn resources meet the RCN Nine Quality Standards.
