Jessica Shield and colleagues describe how the development of dental passports and reasonable adjustments by staff ensure service users receive a high standard of care
Evidence shows that people with learning disabilities have poorer health outcomes and less access to health services than the rest of the population. In Cumbria, learning disability and NHS dental services work together to provide person-centred care for people with learning disabilities, and have produced a ‘dental passport’ to improve access to dental care. The layout and content of this document are similar to those of hospital passports but include additional details on the holders’ ability to communicate, mobility, previous dental treatment and seating preferences for treatment. There are ten specialist dental services for adults with severe learning disabilities in Cumbria, all of which provide expert care for people with disabilities.
Learning Disability Practice. 16, 1, 12-15. doi: 10.7748/ldp2013.02.16.1.12.e684
Correspondencelinda.turner@cumbria.nhs.uk dave.wheatcroft@cumbria.nhs.uk
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 20 September 2012
Accepted: 13 November 2012
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