Physical and Structural Barriers to Dental Treatment Experienced by People with Motor Disabilities
Introduction: Identify physical and structural barriers for access to dental appointments for patients with motor disabilities.
Materials and methods: A descriptive study was performed on a group of 54 people with physical or motor disability between the ages of 18 and 80, who completed a questionnaire on physical barriers for access to dental clinics and structural problems that pose an obstacle to oral health care.
Results: The most frequent reasons for their last dental visit over the past year were for pain and their regular checkup, accounting for 36%. 56.7% had seen a dentist during the year. Most respondents cited lack of elevators, stair railings and ramps at dental clinics and point to problems with the height of the chair and the distance and height of the spittoon.
Conclusions: There are many physical and structural barriers at dental clinics, associated with the anthropometric space and specific parts of the dental unit, which can impede appropriate, efficient and quality dental care.
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