Outreach dental service for people with cerebral palsy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: People with cerebral palsy suffer from motor impairment syndromes with or without mental disabilities. They have difficulties in accessing dental care. AIM: Purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of providing basic preventive dental care to adolescents with cerebral palsy by dental students in an outreach dental service. METHODS: The study population was students aged 12 to 18 years attending three special schools for people with cerebral palsy in Hong Kong. A group of 8 senior dental students, under supervision of their teacher, provided oral examinations, oral health education, and topical fluoride treatments to the adolescents in their school using simple portable dental equipment and instruments. Findings of the examinations were explained to the subjects' parents. Oral health talks were also delivered to the parents, care-givers and school teachers. Information on the satisfaction with the service provided was collected. RESULTS: The dental service was provided to a total of 65 students. No major problems were encountered in carrying out the clinical procedures. All of the students, their parents, and the school teachers were satisfied with the service delivered. As for the service providers, the dental students did not find the provision of care too difficulty for them. They found this to be a good hands-on learning experience and a valuable community service to this special needs group outside the dental hospital setting. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study showed that basic preventive dental care could be delivered to adolescents with cerebral palsy in an outreach dental service. The service was appreciated by both the providers and the recipients.