Physical and Sensory Disability

Question 1

What is impairment?

Answer 1

Functional limitation caused by physical, mental or sensory impairment (organ based)

Question 2

What is disability?

Answer 2

Loss or limitation of opportunity to participate in the normal life of the community on levels with others due to physical or social barriers (person based)

Question 3

What is handicap?

Answer 3

Disadvantage suffered as a consequence of impairment and disability (socially based)

Question 4

What is a physical disability?

Answer 4

Limitation to a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina such as respiratory disorders, blindness, epilepsy or sleep disorders

Question 4

What is a physical disability?

Answer 4

Limitation to a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina such as respiratory disorders, blindness, epilepsy or sleep disorders

Question 5

Name 3 causes of physical disabilities

Answer 5

1. Prenatal
2. Perinatal
3. Postnatal

Question 6

What are prenatal disabilities?

Answer 6

Disabilities acquired before birth

Question 7

What are perinatal disabilities?

Answer 7

Disabilities acquired between some weeks before and up to 4 weeks after birth

Question 8

Name 3 causes of prenatal disabilities

Answer 8

1. Diseases or substances that the mother has been exposed to during pregnancy
2. Developmental accidents
3. Genetic disorders

Question 9

What is the most common prenatal disability?

Answer 9

Cerebral palsy

Question 10

Name 4 causes of perinatal disabilities

Answer 10

1. Prolonged lack of oxygen leading to brain damage
2. Premature baby
3. Genetic disorders
4. Accidents

Question 11

What are postnatal disabilities?

Answer 11

Disabilities gained after birth

Question 12

Name 3 types of cerebral palsy

Answer 12

1. Athetoid
2. Spastic
3. Ataxic

Question 13

What causes cerebral palsy?

Answer 13

Brain damage in development during either foetal life, during birth or in first few months of infancy

Question 14

What is athetoid cerebral palsy also known as?

Answer 14

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy (ADCP)

Question 15

What is ADCP primarily associated with?

Answer 15

Damage to basal ganglia in the form of lesions which occur during brain development due to bilirubin encephalopathy and hypoxic brain injury

Question 16

Describe spastic cerebral palsy

Answer 16

• Most common type of cerebral palsy
• Upper motor neurone lesion
• Manifests as excessive muscle tone and contractures
• Many people with spastic CP use wheelchairs

Question 17

Describe the physical characteristics of cerebral palsy

Answer 17

• Paralysis
• Altered muscle tone
• Unsteady gait
• Difficulty with gross motor skills
• Difficulty with fine motor skills

Question 18

What is the difference between paraplegia and quadriplegia?

Answer 18

• Paraplegia results from injury to the spinal cord, occuring below the neck
• Quadriplegia refers to damage to the spinal cord in the neck

Question 19

Name 6 dental implications of cerebral palsy

Answer 19

1. Gingival hyperplasia
2. Increased caries
3. Malocclusion
4. Erosion (high prevalence of GORD)
5. Increased gag reflex
6. Bruxism

Question 20

What is Thalidomide Syndrome?

Answer 20

• Thalidomide taken as a morning sickness drug

- Babies born with birth defects including deafness, blindness and physical deformities (cleft palate and limbs)

Question 21

What is muscular dystrophy?

Answer 21

• Group of disorders which involve progressive loss of muscle mass
• Affect up to 1 in 5,000 males
• Caused by genetic mutations which interfere with muscle protein production
• No cure but treatments can slow progression and improve symptoms

Question 22

What is the most common form of muscular dystrophy?

Answer 22

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Question 23

Describe 3 dental implications of muscular dystrophy

Answer 23

1. GA risk (cardiac and respiratory function)
2. Progressive facial weakness leading to open mouth posture
3. Physical disability

Question 24

Describe ideal components of communication with a person who uses a wheelchair

Answer 24

- Avoid presumptions about physical ability - Speak directly to person - Offer help where appropriate - Learn location of accessible ramps

Question 25

What are sensory disabilities?

Answer 25

Involve any sense but generally refers to disability related to hearing, vision or both

Question 26

What is a sensory impairment?

Answer 26

When one of your senses is no longer normal e.g wearing glasses

Question 27

What is sensory loss?

Answer 27

Not necessarily a total loss of hearing but more than simply impairment

Question 28

Describe 3 types of hearing loss

Answer 28

Conductive - Sounds from tympanic membrane to inner ear are blocked Sensorineural - Defect of cochlear nerve Exposure to loud noises

Question 29

Describe the potential barriers to dental care for a patient suffering from hearing impairment or loss

Answer 29

- Booking appointments by telephone - Waiting room may be stressful trying to communicate with receptionists - Difficulties in treatment area - Have to rely on relative and feel left out of conversation

Question 30

Name 5 potential ways to help a person suffering from hearing loss in the dental practice

Answer 30

- Encourage to inform surgery of any impairment - Highlight hearing on notes so everyone aware - Deaf Awareness Training - Allow bookings by email - Allow extra time for consultation

Question 31

Describe 3 ways to improve communication between the dentist and a patient suffering from hearing impairment or less

Answer 31

1. Use patient's preferred method of communication 2. Look at the patient while listening in good light 3. Back up the consultation with written material (PILs)

Question 32

What is a visual impairment?

Answer 32

Visually impaired person's eyesight cannot be corrected to a normal level

Question 33

Name 5 causes of visual impairment

Answer 33

1. Cataracts (most common) 2. Albinism 3. Glaucoma 4. Retinal detachment 5. Nerve lesion

Question 34

What is blindness?

Answer 34

State or condition of being unable to see because of injury, disease or congenital condition

Question 35

Name 3 causes of blindness

Answer 35

1. Ocular damage 2. Optic nerve damage 3. Cortical damage

Question 36

Describe how dental care for individuals with visual impairment may be improved

Answer 36

- Ensure passages clear, areas well lit, large print signs in dangerous areas and handrails by stairs - Tactile maps and braille signs are helpful - Dark safety glasses may be necessary - Allow patients to touch instruments and explain what they will sense from other senses

Question 37

Describe oral hygeine advice for a person with visual impairment

Answer 37

- Tailored to reflect individual's level of impairment - Range from large bold text to braille - Adapt methods with use of models and other aids