As far back as March 2005, Angela Kerins, the then Chairperson of the National Disability Authority (NDA), commented on the “ad-hoc and unsatisfactory oral health care system for people with disabilities” on the island of Ireland. Ms Kerins insisted that oral health is central to the health and well-being of disabled persons, and that investing in oral health should not only be calculated in monetary terms but also considered as an investment in empowering individuals through increased self-esteem, supporting communication, nutrition and improving quality of life .

The NDA warns that poor oral health – bad breath, overcrowded teeth or unsightly decay – can reduce a person’s ability to consume nutritious food and cause significant pain, which a person with a disability might not be able to communicate. They cautioned that this in turn can be the cause of further frustration or even damage such as self-harm.

The NDA reminded the Irish government that research has shown that people with disabilities are more likely to have oral health problems and require more treatment than the rest of the population. A survey conducted in Ireland showed that 30% more dental decay was untreated in children with disabilities and that they had more extractions and less preventative work done compared with children who have no disabilities. Adults with disabilities had more missing teeth, needed more dental treatment and were 20% more likely to have no teeth at all if they were over 55 years of age, compared with non-disabled adults.

Every parent or carer of a person with a disability knows that their charges, when presented for oral health services, challenge practitioners who may be confronted with a patient who may have poor understanding, uncontrolled movements, limited mouth opening or limited mobility. Such patients may experience tiredness during treatment, may have medical problems or may quite simply be very frightened of the dentist and the environment and unfamiliar sounds and smells of a dental surgery.

“An Oral Health Strategy for Northern Ireland” indentifies specific barriers for people who experience mental health difficulties such as a lack of service knowledge, anxiety levels and oral health staff’s attitudes including a lack of empathy and understanding.

The NDA insisted back in 2005 that accessing appropriate and good quality oral health care is a significant issue for both people with disabilities and their family members and carers. So what then has changed in Ireland since then? Sadly, not a lot!

On 11th August 2009, The Irish Times reported that access to dentistry is still an issue in both the north and south of Ireland. The publication stated that in the Republic, unprecedented numbers of dentists are leaving the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) for a variety of reasons. Fees paid to dentists treating medical card patients have been cut. Capacity pressures make public practice unsustainably stressful for many, according to the Irish Times who also observed that public waiting lists are lengthening as the credit crunch causes previously private patients to move across to the public sector. In addition, the Health Service Executive (HSE) recruitment embargo has been extended – meaning that dentists inclined towards public practice are not being recruited to alleviate the queues. The Irish Times states that this has led to a closure of dental clinics, removing access to some of the most vulnerable groups such as children and those with special needs.

This report was preceded by the Irish Dental Association’s (IDA) caution in April 2009, that the HSE’s recruitment embargo will have devastating effects on dental services provided for children and special needs patients. Fintan Hourihan, Chief Executive of the IDA, stated on 8th April that, “many patients with special needs already face lengthy waiting lists for dental treatment and, if they are suffering, they may be unable to express their pain.”

Following the renewed, current media coverage highlighting the dire oral health situation in Ireland, Ultimate Dental Travel’s partner clinic – the German Dental Center - decided to make their existing services for Special Needs Patients available to Irish and British patients that are physically, intellectually or emotionally challenged.

The wheelchair accessible, modern clinic provides a spacious, calm, unhurried and pleasant environment. Importantly, it incorporates a purpose-built, fully equipped operating suite consisting of theatre, patient changing room and recovery room. Oral treatment or surgery takes place in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.