Special Care Dentistry for People in Asia-Pacific Region

Abstract

The Asia Pacific Dental Federation hosted the Asia Pacific Dental Congress 2024 and convened public health experts to develop recommendations for Special Care Dentistry (SCD) for Asian countries. Many countries strive to promote oral health and ensure equal access to oral care for individuals with disabilities, but the implementation of SCD varies significantly. Leading the way in SCD education, research and well-organised services are countries such as Japan, Malaysia and Korea. Meanwhile, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand are introducing changes to their SCD educational and health systems. Publications from Pakistan, Indonesia and the Philippines indicate a growing interest in these issues, while informal reports from peers suggest a similar trend in Vietnam. Essential components of oral care for individuals with disabilities include accessibility, education, prevention, awareness, specialised dental care, and collaboration among stakeholders. The expert panel has put forth a series of recommendations as follows: (1) ensuring barrier-free access to dental care facilities for individuals with physical disabilities, (2) enhancing oral health promotion and oral care provision for people with disabilities, (3) promoting collaboration among health policymakers and institutions in Asian countries and region, (4) implementing mandatory education and training on SCD in universities and professional institutions, and (5) emphasising the need for a multidisciplinary approach to provide holistic care and bridge the gap between health allied professions. These recommendations aim to address inequalities and discrepancies in access to oral care, aligning with the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention of Rights for People with Disabilities.

Keywords: Asia-Pacific; Caries; Oral health promotion; Special dental care.

Fig. 1

Flow chart for the development of recommendations on special care dentistry in Asian countries and region.