Abstract

MARTA, Sara Nader. Program of dental assistance to special patients: a 13-year experience. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.59, n.3, pp. 379-385. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objectives To apply dental protocols using ambulatory clinic or hospital treatment under general anaesthesia using an integrated, multiprofessional team and graduate dentistry students. The results of the 13-year Program for Dental Assistance to Patients with Special Needs will be shared. Methods Currently, the program has about 1,000 registered patients being treated, free of charge, with basic health care. Patients with Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome and unknown mental deficits come from the institutions that assist patients with special needs. After detailed interviews, general physical and dental examinations, patients are taken to the ambulatory clinic or hospital for treatment under general anaesthesia. Subsequently, patients get preventive follow-up. Results Completion of 23,646 surgical restoration and preventive procedures; commitment of the families to the preventive program of dental health; major involvement of graduate dentistry students. Conclusion The results to date lead to the conclusion that programs of this nature can minimize problems for these patients and their families and improve their quality of life. The results demonstrate that universities and the Secretary of Health can fulfil their duties to society by establishing a professional partnership to care for the less fortunate, in accordance with constitutional principles of human dignity and rights to health and equality, which should be developed and extended permanently.

Keywords : Dental care for disabled.; Dentistry.; Disabled persons..