Oral health preventive protocol for mentally disabled subjects— A review

Abstract

Background: About 500 million people worldwide are disabled. Nearly 2.1% of population of India is suffering from one or other kind of disability. Mentally disabled form 0.2% of total population and constitute 10.2% of total disabled. They have been reported with poor oral health status than the general population. Preventive dental care for such patients should be considered more important than the general population. Overview: This article discusses the oral health status of mentally disabled to understand the importance of good oral health for such patients. It also discusses various preventive measures that can be taken to improve the oral health such as plaque control, fluoride application, application of pit and fissure sealant, etc. along with diet counseling and health education to caregivers. Article focuses on barrier in accessing dental care and various patient management techniques such as establishing a relaxed environment, communication skills to make the treatment acceptable for such pupils. Conclusion: It is utmost important to provide preventive dental care to such patients by overcoming the barrier which obstacles it. Before motivating the patients and caregivers, it is the dentist who has to be motivated first in fulfilling special health care needs of patients resulting in improvement of quality of life.