Dental Health Conditions as Medical Aspects of Disability

Abstract

Background:Medical Aspects of Disability is a required course in bachelor’s and master’s-level degree programs in the rehabilitation field. The course objectives have sustained a long tradition in American health services, education, and research by expressly excluding topics related to dental or oral health.Objectives:This article makes the case for the integration of dental health topics into the Med Aspects course (a) as research trends highlight direct and indirect correlations between dental health, whole health, and disability, (b) as an issue with diverging rehabilitation implications across cultures, (c) as an ethical matter for rehabilitation professionals, and (d) to address the physical and psychosocial ramifications of dental health conditions on employment.Conclusions:Implications for practice, research, and education are provided such as practitioner continuing education on dental health implications on rehabilitation goals, future research into effective oral health literacy tools and social determinants of oral health, and suggestions for related updates to rehabilitation education curriculum.