Dentistry for Jordanians with special needs

There are thousands of residents with disabilities in Jordan. Despite national legislation to assure individuals with disabilities needed services, including education and employment, social inclusion of these individuals is difficult since societal views exclude them from functioning as members of a community. While there are no national studies of the dental needs of individuals with disabilities in Jordan, local reports indicates limited use of dental services and the need for increased oral hygiene and restorative services. Examples of dental education accreditation standards in other countries are used as models for the improvement in the preparation of dental students to provide services for individuals with special needs.     

Hardships of Raising Children With Special Health Care Needs (A Commentary)

Providing health care services for youngsters with special health care needs (SHCN) requires understanding of the medical circumstances that impact on the particular youngster, as well as an increased awareness and sensitivity to their particular family setting, and the issues that impact on the child, his/her parents, and siblings. To this end a review was carried out regarding the variable affects on these youngsters, such as poverty, parental, and family issues, as well as considerations of who is at risk for SHCN and demographics of individuals with SHCN who have unmet health needs. The particular need for dental services, the health service most commonly reported as needed, but not received, is highlighted.     

How to more effectively lobby the legislative branch of government: report the extent of intellectual disability amongst a politician's constituents

The use of national numbers and percentages to describe the millions of people with intellectual disabilities is beyond the comprehension of most people. The challenge is to personalize these numbers if we are to bring increased attention to these individuals. Examples of Census Bureau report data for the States, Congressional Districts, Counties, and High School districts are suggested as a format to lobby legislators with the realities of the numbers of their constituents who are affected by intellectual disabilities.     

The largest minority population in the U.S. without adequate dental care

A recent series of reports in Health Affairs reviewed the disparities in securing needed oral health services in the U.S. Despite an extensive oversight of the many issues involved, no direct mention is made of the particular conditions of the largest minority population in the U.S. unable to access dental care—the tens of millions of individuals with special health care needs. A review is provided of the particular barriers and conditions faced by this increasing population in its efforts to secure needed services.