{"id":20200,"date":"2023-01-30T14:39:04","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T19:39:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20200"},"modified":"2023-03-03T14:40:47","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:40:47","slug":"how-do-disabilities-affect-oral-healthcare-outcomes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/how-do-disabilities-affect-oral-healthcare-outcomes\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Disabilities Affect Oral Healthcare Outcomes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Living with a disability can significantly complicate your healthcare needs for a variety of different reasons. In addition to the challenges of finding suitable treatment and accommodations for their conditions, many people with disabilities also have greater difficulty finding <\/span>primary care doctors<\/span><\/a> and accessing many other basic healthcare services that we all depend on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in three working-age <\/span>adults (aged 18 to 44) with disabilities do not have a primary care physician<\/span><\/a>, and that same proportion has also had a healthcare need go unaddressed due to the cost of care within the last year. Further, one in four adults with disabilities reported that they hadn’t had a routine checkup over the past year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This disparity is especially prominent in oral care outcomes, partly because of the way dental care is treated by insurance providers. Medicare, one of the largest healthcare coverage providers for people with disabilities, <\/span>does not cover oral care in most cases<\/span><\/a>, and many people have great difficulty <\/span>finding dentists that accept Medicare<\/span><\/a> at all. Additionally, <\/span>Medicaid programs in many states offer little or no coverage for dental care<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This lack of coverage can lead to major long-term problems for people with disabilities, as many common disabilities can have significant impacts on oral health. A variety of unique barriers may prevent people with disabilities from finding and receiving adequate care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The relationship between disability and dental health<\/h2>\n

There are a variety of disabilities and chronic conditions that can negatively impact oral health and make it more complicated to find care. Conversely, maintaining <\/span>good oral health can reduce the chance of some serious illnesses<\/span><\/a> and support better outcomes for people with many types of disabilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Intellectual and developmental disabilities<\/h3>\n

Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy can adversely affect oral health outcomes in several ways. Individuals with these conditions can experience anxiety, uncontrolled body movements or sensory sensitivities that can make it very challenging to cooperate with their dentist while receiving care in a traditional setting \u2014 and many dental offices are not equipped to make necessary accommodations for them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, the behavioral complications caused by IDDs can make it more difficult for patients with these conditions to follow their dentist\u2019s instructions and consistently maintain good oral care habits at home, such as brushing and flossing daily. Over time, this can increase the risk of problems like cavities and gum disease. Other <\/span>dental issues associated with IDDs<\/span><\/a> include the formation of harmful oral habits like grinding and clenching of teeth, which can accelerate tooth decay and lead to a variety of other issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Epilepsy<\/h3>\n

There are several <\/span>oral health concerns associated with epilepsy<\/span><\/a>. Seizures cause convulsions, which can lead to a number of oral issues, including chipped and cracked teeth, cheek and tongue biting, trauma-induced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc dislocation and jaw fractures. Epilepsy treatments can also cause oral health issues in certain cases. Some common anticonvulsants, such as <\/span>phenytoin, can cause gingival hyperplasia (bleeding gums)<\/span><\/a> when taken orally, which can lead to issues like swelling, pain and detached teeth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Autism spectrum disorders<\/h3>\n

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can contribute to poor oral health<\/span><\/a> in several ways. Due to sensory issues, patients with ASD may be deterred from visiting the dentist and may also have greater difficulty following oral care routines at home. Common sensory challenges reported by people with ASD in dental offices include sensitivities to bright lights, the feeling of their faces being touched and the high-pitched sounds produced by motorized dental instruments like drills.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many people with ASD also experience sensory issues during their home dental care routines. These issues can include aversion to the texture or taste of toothpaste, as well as the feeling of bristles in the mouth. Sensory sensitivities like these can cause patients with ASD to become uncooperative during dental visits and compel them to neglect their oral care at home. Additionally, many people with ASD, particularly children, may struggle to clearly express their discomfort when experiencing a dental issue, which can prevent them from receiving care promptly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chronic conditions with oral health concerns<\/h3>\n

Several additional chronic health conditions can impact oral health, and\/or be exacerbated by poor oral health habits.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n