The special needs of people with disabilities in oral hygiene

The importance of oral health in quality of life is important for maintaining general health and quality of life. However, people with intellectual and motor disabilities present a higher risk of oral cavity diseases and a reduced ability for oral self-care. These restrictions require modifications in the use of toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwashes and other oral hygiene means or in dentures hygiene, as well as special care to maintain an adequate oral hygiene routine whenever possible. The education, encouragement and mobilization of people with disabilities (PWD) and their caregivers towards improving oral hygiene is difficult but can offer significant results in improving the oral health of these patients. The purpose of this review is to refer to helpful, available and necessary modifications in the performance of oral hygiene for PWD, as well as alternative means of assisting it, in order to facilitate the relevant personalized approach and training of patients of this category, as well as their caregivers . Even in the dental field, however, there is a lack of experience and training in terms of the management, needs and training capacity of the various patients who are included in PWD. Inadequate experience and training is a widespread problem among staff in charge of oral health. Dental service providers themselves need training to be ready to fulfill their educational role with caregivers, but also with other healthcare professionals. In this direction, the role of the State is crucial. It is obvious that the improvement of the oral health and hygiene of the disabled, the training of carers and dentists/auxiliary staff are impossible to achieve without the organized intervention of the State.