International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is on 3 December each year. It’s a day to understand and respect people with disability.

People with disabilities are at greater risk of poor oral health and may face barriers to accessing dental care. Dental teams can take steps to provide appropriate care for people with disabilities, including: 

• Adapting the treatment room
• For example, turning down the lights, playing music, and providing a space for a support person 
• Considering special needs
• For example, people with physical disabilities may need help getting into the chair, while people with learning disabilities may need extra reassurance 
• Monitoring for specific issues
• For example, dentists may need to monitor teeth grinding, swallowing issues, dry mouth, and malocclusions 

New Horizons Dental is wheelchair friendly.

Some goals for providing oral healthcare to people with disabilities include:

• Helping patients maintain their oral health, with or without assistance
• Preventing oral pain and disease
• Maintaining oral function
• Retaining aesthetics