Training experience and comfort level of practicing dentists in the community in treating patients with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities

Background: Persons with disabilities have a greater incidence of dental disease and missing teeth, and experience significant barriers in accessing dental services than their counterparts without disability (Glassman, 2003). Because they present a range of medical conditions, impairment and functional limitations, dentists who treat them need to have the requisite skills and knowledge for addressing their oral health needs (Stiefel, 2002). Little information, however, is available on the degree of training and the level of comfort dentists have in treating persons with disability. Method: The present study investigated the training experience and self-rated preparedness of practicing dentists in a large Midwestern state for treating patients with three types of disability (physical, cognitive, and sensory). Data (n=4726) were collected as part of a statewide survey of registered dentists in 2010. Results: Findings suggest that the training experience of dentists differs significantly across the three patient groups. The highest proportion of dentists reported having training in treating patients with physical limitation (62.9%), followed by cognitive limitation (54.8%). The rate of dentists with training in treating patients with sensory limitation was the lowest (37.1%) (p < .000). The patient group the dentists felt most “well-prepared” to treat was those with physical limitation (72.8%), followed by those with sensory limitation (61.8%). The group the dentists felt least “well prepared” to treat was those with cognitive limitation (60.8%) (p < .000). Conclusion: Practicing dentists in the community have substantially different training experience and comfort levels in treating patients with different disabilities.