A visit to the dentist isn’t always straightforward, especially for those with special needs.
This is a bridge slowly being crossed by the dental faculty at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
The department has created a programme which provides free dental care for children with special needs in the Wynberg and Diep River areas.
The students and lecturers provide full oral-care services to special-needs learners and their teaching assistant. They also give educational talks on oral health.
The project was inspired by Dr Magandhree Naidoo, mother of a child with special needs, who said there are often numerous issues when it comes to seeing a doctor.
“(These) include anxiety and fear of a dentist, sensory issues (like) not wanting dental equipment or materials in their mouth.”
The cost of dental treatment is beyond reach for many and leads to a general disregard for dental health.
Some children with special needs also have an intolerance of crowds when taking public transport and some don’t want unfamiliar people approaching or treating them.
She said this is why the mobile units are ideal – they go to a place where the learner is comfortable.
Naidoo says there are things anyone can do at home, regardless of access to dental care:
- Always rinse thoroughly after eating and a salt water rinse can be used to assist with sore, swollen gums.
- Clean with a face towel to clean teeth when no toothbrush is available.
- Clean baby’s teeth, gums and tongue with a clean soft cloth.
- Create a chewing stick and use to clean teeth.
- Create a water flosser using an old juice bottle.
