Research abstract
British Dental Journal 198, 571 - 578 (2005)
Published online: 14 May 2005 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4812305
Subject Category: Special needs
Views and experiences of parents and siblings of adults with Down Syndrome regarding oral healthcare: a qualitative and quantitative study
P L Kaye1, J Fiske2, E J Bower3, J T Newton4 & M Fenlon5
- Adults with Down Syndrome (DS) have particular oral health needs, requiring a supportive, empathic and well-informed dental team.
- Although most adults with DS in the study visit the dentist regularly, relatively little restorative treatment was provided.
- Experiences of oral care are influenced by the attitudes and skills of dental health professionals, and relatives' attitudes, preferences and knowledge.
- Relatives of adults with DS want more appropriate and timely oral health information from health care professionals.
- Current policy initiatives provide an opportunity for dentists to collaborate with other health and social care professionals to improve the provision of oral health care and information for people with DS.
Abstract
Aims To investigate experiences and expectations of parents/siblings of adults with Down Syndrome (DS) regarding oral healthcare, and explore factors impacting on access and experience of dental care for this group.
Design A two phase qualitative and quantitative study using in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of six parents/siblings, and a postal questionnaire of 200 parents/siblings of adults with DS who are members of the Down Syndrome Association.
Results The main themes elicited from the qualitative interviews related to concern, experiences, parents'/siblings' attitudes, preferences and information. The response rate from the postal questionnaire was 63.5%. Adults with DS attended the dentist regularly but received little restorative treatment. Experience of oral healthcare was influenced by the attitudes and skills of dental health professionals; stigma; and relatives' expectations of dentists, their oral health beliefs, information and support received, knowledge and priorities. Parents/siblings wanted dentists to be proactive in providing more information on oral health issues in collaboration with other health and social care professionals.
Conclusions Whilst most adults with DS visited the dentist regularly, relatively little treatment had been provided. Parents highlighted a need for appropriate and timely oral health information early in their child's life, and access to dentists who were sympathetic, good communicators and well-informed about DS.
- Senior Dental Officer, East Sussex Health Care NHS Trust, Arthur Blackman Clinic, Battle Rd, St. Leonards-on-Sea
- Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Special Care Dentistry, Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry, GKT Dental Institute, Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW
- Research Assistant, Department of Oral Health Services Research & Dental Public Health, GKT Dental Institute, Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW
- Professor of Psychology as Applied to Dentistry, Department of Oral Health Services Research & Dental Public Health, GKT Dental Institute, Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW
- Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics, GKT Dental Institute, Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW
Correspondence to: E J Bower3
Research Assistant, Department of Oral Health Services Research & Dental Public Health, GKT Dental Institute, Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW
e-mail: elizabeth.bower@kcl.ac.uk
