Comprehending the Number of Individuals with Disabilities and the Need for Oral Health Services

Introduction: The use of mega-large numbers and percentages to describe the one billion people with disabilities in the world is beyond the comprehension of most people. We find it difficult to personalize such information and tend to skip over the data without considering the multitude of factors that impact on individuals with disabilities and their families. Study design: A review of World Health Organization, U.S. Census Bureau, and Canadian and U.S. dental school accreditation agency documents were used to establish the current information on disability numbers, proportions and dental education programs. Results: More meaningful details from government agencies and the health professions and their educational institutions can provide data that could be used to demonstrate the increasing number of individuals with disabilities in a more meaningful manner; as well as preparing health professionals to provide the needed care. Discussion: The use of survey data for specific countries by: age, types of disabilities, race/ethnicity, family and individual economics, employment and regional distribution provides a more personalized presentation which can be used to reach legislative bodies and health providers.

Barriers, demographics, dental education, disabilities

1. World Health Organization. Disability and Health. 2011. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs352/en/ Accessed February 10, 2016.

2. Census Bureau. Nearly 1 in 5 people have a disability in the U.S., Census Bureau reports, Available from: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-134.html Accessed February 15, 2016.

3. Census Bureau. American Community Survey. Available from: http://factfinder.census.gov/ Accessed February 15, 2016.

4. Centers for Disease Control. Oral health and people with disabilities. A tip sheet for public health professionals. Available from: http://www.cdc. gov/ncbddd/documents/Oral/%20Health%20sheet%20_PHPa_1.p Accessed February 16, 2016

5. Waldman HB, Perlman SP. Why is providing dental to people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities such a low priority? Pub Hlth Rep 2002;11:435-9.

6. Waldman HB, Perlman SP. A special care dentistry specialty: sound good, but…” J Dent Educ2006;70:1019-22.

7. Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. Accreditation Require-ments for Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Programs. Updated November 30, 2006. Web site: http://www. cda-adc.ca/cdacweb/en/ Accessed February 16, 2016.

8. Commission on Dental Accreditation. Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Program; Modified February 1, 2008. Standard 2-26. Web site: http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/accred/standards/predoc.pdf Accessed February 16, 2016.

9. Waldman HB, Al-Nowaiser AM, Hamed MT, Perlman SP. Dentistry for individuals with special needs in Saudi Arabia: a commentary. J Disab Oral Hlth 2010;11:57-60.

10. Waldman HB, Adiwoso AW, Perlman SP. Dentistry for Indonesians with special needs. A commentary. J Indonesian Dent Assoc 2012:61:1-4.