This article aims to increase the dental teams' awareness of communicating with people with learning disabilities who hove additional communication impairments. The paper presents a brief account of the factors behind why some people with learning disabilities may find it difficult to verbally communicate, and highlights the importance of ensuring high levels of care for all patients. It provides an overview of the principles of communication development and some of the most commonly used augmentative and alternative communication approaches. The paper concludes with suggestions of simple communication techniques as well as practical ideas, which can be easily incorporated into daily general dental practice in order to increase opportunities for successful interactions and minimise communication breakdown. By becoming more aware of the range of communication methods used to support those who have learning disabilities, the dental team will be more able to provide a better experience to their patients and ensure that their needs are met.
ChudleyAE, LongstaffeSE.Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Management of Genetic Syndromes.2005. p. 20.
3.
EmersonE, HattonC, RobertsonJ, RobertsH, BainesS, GloverG.People with learning disabilities in England; services and supports. Improving Health and Lives; Learning Disability Observatory 2010. Public Health England site. Available at: www.improvinghealthandlives.org.uk/uploads/doc/vid_9244_IHAL2011-02PWLD2010.pdf. Accessed October 2014].
4.
EmersonE.Estimating the Future Number of Adults with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities in England.2009 Lancaster: CeDR, Lancaster University.
HeslpP, BlairPS, FlemingP, HoghtonM, MarriottA, RussL.The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with intellectual disabilities in the UK: a population-based study.The Lancet.2014;383(9920):889–895.
EmersonE, BainesS, AllertonL, WelchV.Health inequalities and people with learning disabilities in the UK; Improving Health and Lives; learning Disability Observatory, 2011. Public Health England site. Available at: http://cdn.basw.co.uk/upload/basw_14846-4.pdf. Accessed Nov 2014.
9.
Mental Capacity Act 2005.Code of Practice Department for Constitutional Affairs HM Government: The Stationery Office, 2007.
10.
Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?A summary guide for public sector organisations.Government Equalities Office London:HM Government, 2010.
BeacroftM, DoddK. ‘I feel pain’ audit of communicating skills and understanding of pain and health needs with people with learning disabilities.British Journal of Learning Disabilities.2011;39(2):139–147.
18.
British Society for Disability and Oral Health, Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.Improving oral health through clinical guidelines and integrated care pathways.Clinical Guidelines and Integrated Care Pathways for the Oral Health Care of People with Learning Disabilities.2012; chapter 3:13–46.
19.
BellR.Does he have sugar in his tea? Communication between people with learning disabilities, their carers and hospital staff.Tizard Learning Disability Review.2012;17(2):57–63.
McLartyM.Putting objects of reference in context.European Journal of Special Needs Education.1997;12(11:12–20.
22.
OckelfordA.Objects of Reference: Promoting communication skills and concept development with visually impaired children who have other disabilities.UK:RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind). 1994.
23.
HarrisJC, Z Marshman Z, ShortJA.Development and qualitative evaluation of a communication tool for children with autism spectrum disorders and other communication difficulties.Journal of Disability and Oral Health.2014;15(2): 33–39.
JonesJ.A Total Communication Approach Towards Meeting the Communication Needs of People with Learning Disabilities, Tizard Learning Disability Review.2000;5(1):20–26.
