Problems of persons with cerebral palsy in obtaining dental care

Abstract

A bstract — This project investigated the availability and accessibility of dental care for cerebral‐palsied children and young adults attending the Spastic Centre, New Farm, Brisbane. Most come from high and middle income families and are probably not representative of the handicapped population in this respect. A questionnaire was sent to 100 parents and 86 responded. Profiles were established of the dentists providing the treatment, the dental services, and the nature of the patient's handicap. Only about 10 per cept of parents found difficulty in obtaining dental treatment for their children and about 25 per cent of patients experienced difficulty under treatment. Only 25 per cent of parents found access to dental services difficult; the main problem being outside the dentist's suite. Subjects with quadriplegia appeared to experience the most difficulty with dental treatment. Three‐quarters of the parents indicated they would like a Government dental service at the Spastic Centre.