ORAL HEALTH, QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF DENTAL CARE SERVICES IN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Dental Education has an essential impact on providing comprehensive dental care services to people with disabilities (PWD). The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes disability as a priority issue for global public health, human rights and development. Based on the aims and objectives of the research, a cross-sectional study was selected as a research design with quantitative, qualitative and observational methods. The research was conducted in Georgia, sample size was selected based on the data from the Social Service Agency, 740 respondents took part in the research. 370 of them were PWD, while 370 - a control group. The DMFT index in people with disabilities is signicantly higher (12.0) than in the control group (5.8). It was found that 90% of the clinic managers do not have information about the specic needs of people with disabilities, 66% of the dentists do not provide complete dental services to people with disabilities, and only 5% of the dentists participated in specic training courses in order to improve the quality of dental care services for PWD. Based on the specics of dental care services for people with disabilities, to assess and develop personalized treatment plans, it is necessary to establish an evidence-based concept in dental clinics. The oral health and comprehensive dental care services for people with disabilities are signicantly unsatisfactory in Georgia. Within the framework of continuous medical education, dentists need constant training in order to provide complete dental care services to people with disabilities.