If you are a dentist, and you saw me at a conference, how would you react?

[hellokittymania]

There is a special-needs dentistry conference coming up, and I really rwant to attend, but I'm worried about how dentists will perceive me. I have been interested in doing something in the special-needs dentistry from last year, either training general dentists, organizing clinics for people with special needs, creating some games or other things that would teach oral hygiene Etc. I really want to go and learn about issues in special care dentistry so I can come up with some ideas that would be feasible and hopefully network and find people who may be interested in helping me to do these things.

I'm visually impaired by the way and look quite young. I have been to some ophthalmology conferences, since I run my own organization and some doctors have been quite rude. I think I just need to develop a six skin to people who don't understand my intentions or who don't believe I'm capable of doing much.

I have always had problems with my teeth, and I think people with special needs often have more problems, getting dental care, I think if something was done by people with special needs in this field, it might improve some things. I have always had problems with my teeth, and I think people with special needs often have more problems, getting dental care, I think if something was done by people with special needs in this field, it might improve some things. I have a lot of material at home, and I have done extensive reading and talk to as many people as I can. I want to do a course, but finding a practical way to do it is A bit of a problem since many ask for internships.

I’m not a dentist so I can’t answer that bit.

I think good on you for having ideas and the drive to do something about them.

The only issue I can see with the conference is that they may all be attending to meet other dentists and might be a bit meh about who you are/why you are there? If it was me I would start smaller scale and try to contact individual dentists and have a chat with them over the phone/see if you could meet with a small group locally. But you sound much braver than me! Good luck with your project. Sounds ace.

I think it is a great idea. There is a lot of room in the training/ consultancy world for helping professionals engage with people with special needs.

I definitely think you should attend. But before you do, come up with what you are "selling" (ie: training for professionals in working with patients with special needs), and also why you are the best person to deliver this training (do you have any experience/ qualifications in delivering training programmes or with current best practice in the special needs field?).

You need to develop an elevator pitch (who you are, what your product is and how you do it in 60 seconds).

I definitely think you should attend, and network a bit.

Ime dentists are terrible at engaging with anyone that isn’t the norm.

As an adult with physical disabilities I’ve found the barriers put in my way my dentists impossible to overcome, and my teeth have suffered badly since I became disabled.

There’s no excuse for it and the industry lags sadly behind in terms of disability awareness or special needs provision.

Go you for trying to change this!

But yes, behaviour change is hard, especially in a ‘high status’ profession.

Get your product/service developed into something you can engage dentists meaningfully with first, and go from there.

I don't think you should have to explain yourself; but if you wish to offer an 'opener' I'd say something like, 'I'm interested in promoting inclusive practices in dentistry'. If they ask more, you can expand with the very good points you make above.

Hello I’ve worked in special care dentistry for years, what you’re suggesting sounds great.
I would contact the course runners about it and also Society for Disability and Oral Health
www.bsdh.org

Maybe your local community dental service (you should be able to find them online).

Depending on area your hospital trust may have ‘disability champions’ within their staff and you could link in with the training?
I have been a learning disability champion within my trust for a few years, which means I’m part of a group of lots of different professionals working out how to beat help people with LD get the care they need and deserve.
Good luck!

In my 20s a friend who was a dentist and v empathetic, just one of the world's beautiful souls, specialised in dentistry for those with soecial needs at one of the London teaching hospitals. Sadly we lost touch a generation ago and I haven't been able tobfind her under her maiden or married name.

Op. you sound fab.
does the british dentistry association (or whoever they are) have a panel to promote inclusivty? do they have any disabled people on it? you should ask and join it

I’m a dentist although I don’t practise anymore. I think you’d be very well received. I agree with what you’ve said about additional/special needs. Our health services aren’t joined up & we give conflicting advice.

When I qualified in the early 000s, we did outreach clinics but what’s needed IME is tips & tricks to treat people in a high street practice. Things like how people move in & out of wheelchairs, how visually impaired people can better access our care, how people with sensory disorders can clean their teeth effectively...

We make this a specialty with a two year waiting list & then wonder why people have tooth decay.

But like I said, I don’t treat patients anymore so what do I know!! ¯\(ツ)/¯

Thank you for the advice and the links. I am a member of my local disability organizations board of trustees, but I'm really shy about asking what they think on this.

That would be a good question to ask the British dental Association. I don't they have anybody with disabilities on their board, if they have an inclusivity board. Maybe somebody will come along and be more knowledgeable.

I applaud you for trying to highlight this. Family experience of dentists not understanding that it's not always the case that the patient doesn't want to have the best oral hygiene it's that disabilities/conditions make it harder. After some years of experiencing dentists who didn't get this and making the patient feel they weren't trying their best we by chance found a younger dentist who was v positive, helpful and explains things whereas before we didn't get this.

had a quick look at the bda website. on the front page is an article about wheelchair users. wonder if you might do well to contact the authors who might have an idea of the structure/ who best to ask. tbh dentists should have this on their agenda bearing in mind the rise of disability discrimination.
i know several children who lost most of their teeth cos they couldnt access dentists/had sensory issues.

Go for it! You'll be well recieved.
At uni a special study project was disbilities and dentistry - so imo there is interest and scope for inclusivity in dentistry
Hence why the conference is running

I’m a dentist and I think this would be really positive. I agree that some people with SN do find it hard to access dental services (medical services in general to be honest) Great that you’re being proactive.

Maybe they were being rude because they didn't quite understand why you were there or why you were talking to them. It may help if you give a presentation or have a stall or so etching rather than just going to network.