Dentistry

 

Although many adults and children with rare diseases and conditions attend a regular dentist, there can be additional challenges. Unless your rare disease is one of the more common ones, they may never have treated another patient with the same condition. Not all high street dental practices are fully accessible to those with mobility disabilities and some dental practices will have experience with learning disabled patients and others will not. Additionally, some rare conditions are associated with particular issues in dental and oral health and development and may require specialist care.

Types of dental care

General Dental Practice (GDP):

This is your high street dentist. They should generally be able to provide all routine dental care, check-ups and prevention advice. They may not be able to provide specialist services or equipment / facilities and may have less experience with people with disabilities.

 If you are not already registered with a local NHS dentist you can find one local to you through NHS 111 / NHS online.

Community Dental Services:

These provide specialist level care; personalised oral health care plans and treatment; equipment such as hoists; sedation and sometimes general anaesthetic (GA) services. N.B. General anaesthetic service availability is dependent on area and local hospital service provision). They can also provide oral health training for care teams and families.

 Requires referral from health and social care professional e.g. regular dentist, GP, Social Worker

Shared care:

This is an arrangement where dental care is shared between GDP, community and hospital or specialist services.

Special Care Dentistry:

This is for adults (generally over 16 years old). Referral required.

Paediatric Dentistry:

This is for children (generally aged 16 year and under). Referral required.

How to prepare for your appointment

Providing information to your dental practice or specialist dentist ahead of the appointment could help. This might include:

  • List of medical / health and social care professionals involved in the care of the person e.g. GP; Consultant paediatrician; epilepsy clinical nurse specialist; learning disability nurse; community mental health support worker

  • List of current medications

  • Any sensory loss e.g. visual / hearing impairment

  • Any sensory needs or triggers e.g. lighting, noise

  • Physical and mobility requirements e.g. uses a power wheelchair; requires sling/hoist for transfer

  • Communication needs / aids used

  • Level of understanding

Useful websites

Are you looking for more direct support, or want to belong to a wider rare disease community?

Our RAREhub and RAREnavigator services can help - in a way that suits you and your family.

Click the buttons to find out more about each.