Special Care Dentistry (SCD) presents a fascinating and critical field within dental practice, one that extends beyond the typical focus on teeth to encompass the holistic well-being of individuals. My early exposures to SCD revealed its expansive nature, drawing from disciplines as diverse as medicine, psychology, and even law. What truly distinguishes SCD is its emphasis on the person behind the dental condition, a characteristic that makes SCD clinics particularly rewarding environments to learn in. For undergraduate dental students, it’s easy to become overly focused on the technical aspects of treating teeth, sometimes overlooking the individual patient’s broader needs. However, with a significant portion of the adult population in the UK living with disabilities – 16% of those under 65 and 45% over 65 [4] – SCD highlights the crucial need for dental practices to adapt and become more inclusive.
In SCD settings, I’ve witnessed firsthand the diverse communication methods employed, from sign language to communication boards, alongside practical adaptations like wheelchair hoists and customized room layouts. Furthermore, these clinics offer unique learning opportunities, presenting rare clinical cases often only seen in textbooks. My first encounter with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, within my five years of undergraduate study, occurred in an SCD department. Despite these invaluable experiences, a recent survey of UK undergraduates revealed a concerning gap: 42.0% reported no experience in SCD, and only 9.4% had treated patients with additional needs (see Figure 1). Considering that future dental professionals will inevitably encounter a substantial number of patients with additional healthcare needs, it is imperative that they are adequately prepared with the necessary knowledge and skills upon graduation.
The integration of SCD into the undergraduate curriculum from the outset is paramount. My formative experience shadowing Dr. G, a dentist with a passion for community practice, underscored this point. I observed Dr. G and her team’s remarkable adaptability in catering to each patient’s unique requirements. During my two weeks there, I encountered a spectrum of patients with diverse needs, from those with severe dental phobias who were skillfully eased into comfort, to a patient who could only be examined with the incentive of cookies. While the work was undoubtedly demanding, witnessing the team’s unwavering dedication and expertise was instrumental in solidifying my own aspiration to pursue dentistry. To effectively prepare future dentists for the realities of diverse patient populations, commissioning tools for special care dentistry are essential. These tools encompass educational resources, training programs, and practical experiences designed to equip students with the competencies needed to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to all patients, particularly those with complex needs. By prioritizing SCD early in dental education, we can ensure that graduating dentists are not only technically proficient but also adept at delivering patient-centered care within the broad spectrum of special care dentistry.
