Dental health condition of intellectual and developmental disability
Shikshita Shrestha, Ganesh Paudel and Megh Nath Subedi
Special Olympics Nepa, Nepal
: Dent Health Curr Res
Abstract
In Nepal, People with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) have often been neglected by the dental profession, because of a variety of barriers, like insufficient professional knowledge and experience to treat this population, lack of cooperation by the person with IDD, lack of awareness inadequate facilities, lack of financial condition and lack of family care and support and inadequate compensation for treating this population, who takes longer time to approach, assess, and treat. In general, this population has poor oral health and oral hygiene. Data were collected using indepth interviews with parents and professionals, site visits, observations, document reviews, and direct interaction with people with ID. As per the systemic review of field visit report of 2015/2016 of Association of Intellectual Disability, Nepal, showed this population has poorer oral hygiene, higher prevalence and severity periodontal disease and lack of dental health awareness. Data indicate that people with IDD have more untreated caries, higher prevalence of gingivitis, and other periodontal diseases affecting their ability to chew, speak, and look unattractive .With increasing age and life expectancy this population is in need of good dental care on a regular basis to prevent disease and improve quality of life. And also Evidence supports the need to develop strategies to increase patient acceptance for routine care, additional training for dentists to provide this care, and the development of more effective preventive strategies to minimize the need for this care.
Biography
Shikshita Shrestha has completed her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Peoples Dental College, Kathmandu, Nepal. She is working as the Managing Director of Citizen Dental Hospital and Executive Director of Civilian Dental Hospital of Research Center of Nepal. She is the President of Association of Intellectual Disability Nepal, and also Chairperson of Special Olympics Nepa. She is the Counselor Member of (IADH) of International Association for Disability and Oral Health, Member of IASSIDD (International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental disabilities), General Secretary of Lions Club of Temple valley, Kathmandu, Nepal, and Vice President of WESDO (Women Education and Skill Development Organization).
