The preparedness of dental professionals to treat persons with disabling conditions in long‐term care facility and community settings

Abstract

Summary A survey was conducted of 300 state long‐term care facilities to determine prior training and needs for further instruction of dental staff in the management of patients in this setting. In addition, dental practitioners in two states, Missouri and Washington, were surveyed with respect to their qualifications and availability to treat persons with disabling conditions in the community. A large proportion of dentists who work in long‐term care facilities reported a lack of formal preparation for their area of dental practice. Many community dentists who stated a willingness to treat persons with disabling conditions also appeared to be inadequately prepared. Responses to the Missouri and Washington surveys were generally similar; apparent differences with respect to experience may have been caused by variation in survey criteria. Positive effects of training are beginning to carry over into practice. Larger numbers of recent graduates reported training and expressed willingness to treat patients with disabling conditions compared with dentists who have been in practice longer. Dentists with training and extensive experience probably best reflect available dental resources for persons with disabling conditions in the community.