Dental expert concerned over lack of information for the visually impaired
Dr Nigel Carter, a leading expert in the field of dentistry, has voiced his concerns over the lack of information on dental care for those with visual impairment.
Dr Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, made the remarks following the publication of a report, which confirmed that visually impaired people felt that they were not given sufficient information about oral health. Over half of those surveyed said they felt the information they received was inadequate.
Dr Carter believes that the results of the survey show that there is a level of inequality in the service provided to visually impaired people; he said there needed to more information, which was accessible to people with a visual impairment and more needed to be done to make people aware of the importance of oral health and the availability of oral health services for all citizens in the UK.
The study, which was carried out at Moorfields Hospital, London in a special clinic geared towards visually impaired people, involved one hundred participants. Each person underwent an examination and the results showed that people with a visual impairment have a similar level of oral health to those without impairment; however, the report indicated that visually impaired people were less likely to visit their dentist on a regular basis and many said they only visit their dentist when they were in severe pain. Dr Carter said the results were concerning and said more must be done to ensure visually impaired people are properly catered for.
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