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KMID : 1157520140100040215
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International Journal of Clinical Preventive Dentistry
2014 Volume.10 No. 4 p.215 ~ p.218
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Dental Cares for Patients Who Have a Hearing Impairment
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Patcharaphol Samnieng
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Abstract
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Objective: Hearing impaired persons are at a greater risk for dental disease, for the most part, because of greater neglect or poor oral hygiene and access to routine dental care. The aim was to determine whether there are indications that hearing-impaired patients experience difficulties in accessing dental care and/or in receiving dental treatment.
Methods: Consent for participation in this study was obtained from patients who have a hearing impairment. The study was carried out by means of a questionnaire. Two hundred four patients (92 male, 112 female, mean ages 39±7.5 years) contacted through the deaf foundation returned completed questionnaires.
Results: Eighty-seven percent of all patients who have a hearing impairment had visited a dentist. Three-fourth of all patients (77%) were reported to have at least one problem in communication while receiving dental care, this increased significantly as the severity of the hearing impairment increased. Sixty-two percent reported that the dentist had worn a mask while communicating and 55% that there had been background noise in the surgery during appointments.
Conclusion: Deaf patients in particular often fail to obtain needed care because of communication difficulties experienced in the treatment situation. Removing masks while talking, reducing background noise and learning to use simple signs may improve communication with hearing-impaired patients.
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KEYWORD
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dental caries, hearing impairment, deaf, communication, tooth diseases
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