ORAL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY IN PATIENTS WITH SENSORY DISTURBANCES: EXPERIENCE FROM A TERTIARY DENTAL CENTRE - A CLINICAL RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background: Sensory disturbances, such as impairments in vision, hearing, touch, taste, or smell, significantly challenge patients in maintaining oral health and accessing dental care. These impairments can hinder oral hygiene practices, limit communication with dental professionals, and increase the risk of undetected oral issues or trauma. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the delivery of oral healthcare to patients with sensory disturbances in a tertiary dental center, focusing on the implementation of tailored care approaches, communication adaptations, and environmental modifications. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from the institutional electronic database (2019–2023) on 57 patients (35 males, 22 females) with sensory impairments, aged 18 to 85 years. Inclusion was based on documented sensory impairments confirmed through clinical and diagnostic evaluations. Key data, including demographics, medical history, and sensory disturbances, were analyzed using SPSS version 2.0. Results: The study included 57 participants (61.4% males, 38.6% females) aged 18–85 years (mean age: 44.72±18.11 years), with the majority (75.4%) having no medical comorbidities. Sensory impairments were categorized as visual (40.4%), hearing (31.6%), combined (14%), and other types (14%). Dental pain was the most common complaint (49.1%), followed by issues like missing teeth (12.3%), and fractured teeth (8.8%). Comprehensive data on age, gender, sensory impairments, dental complaints, and comorbidities were analyzed Conclusion: The study highlights the diverse challenges faced by patients with sensory impairments in accessing and managing oral healthcare. The findings emphasize the importance of adopting inclusive practices and training dental professionals to improve care delivery for this vulnerable population.