Oral Health Care for People With Disability: Curriculum Content in Oral Health Programs

The shortage of dental practitioners willing to treat people with disability has become a significant concern, attributed mainly to inadequate undergraduate education and clinical experience in special needs dentistry (SND). Working closely with dentists, the Oral Health Therapy workforce is highly skilled in preventive dentistry, and they could provide dental services to enhance accessibility for people with disability. This study aimed to assess the current state of SND education within oral health programs and highlight the importance of high-quality SND training to prepare oral health graduates to manage the dental needs of people with disability.

A total of 39 oral health institutions offering undergraduate programs in Oral Health Therapy, Dental Therapy, and Dental Hygiene from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland were selected. An online survey was distributed in March 2024, to collect data on the status of SND education, teaching methods, clinical training opportunities, and curriculum resources.

Survey responses from eleven institutions (28% response rate) revealed variability in the current status and comprehensiveness of SND education. Some programs offered dedicated courses, while others provided only a limited overview. The SND teaching and instructions are primarily provided by qualified dental hygienists, dental therapists, and oral health therapists with specialised training and experience in disability (73%). Classroom-based instruction was the most common teaching method, with limited clinical training opportunities.

The findings emphasise the need for standardised guidelines to ensure consistency and adequacy in SND education across oral health programs. Enhancing clinical training opportunities, promoting interprofessional collaboration, and expanding educational resources are essential steps toward improving oral health care for people with disability.