54-58 Havelock Street, West Perth
Seeing patients with intellectual disability is an incredibly rewarding, fun and positive experience as a clinician. It also requires strong clinical expertise, with a good understanding of multiple overlying medical and social factors in a complex oral environment. Individuals with disability are becoming a larger part of the population, as advances in societal-cultural attitudes and medicine have increased the likelihood that people today born with disability survive and live longer. With a global estimated prevalence of 1-3%, general dental practitioners will be seeing patients with intellectual disability in their practices.
Oral health is required if people with intellectual disability are to experience good general health and participate in their communities to the best of their abilities. However they have poorer oral health and greater unmet preventive and treatment needs compared to the general population. With the recent release of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability; National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability, and implementation of the NDIS, it is increasingly important for dentists to be confident in treating this population.
Course Outline:
1. Overview of intellectual disability, barriers and improving access to care
2. Communication, consent and decision-making
3. Common systemic and oral conditions, and practical tips for maintaining oral health (spotlight on Down Syndrome)
4. Practical tips for behaviour management and acclimatisation (spotlight on Autism)
Dr Jee-Yun Leung is a Specialist in Special Needs Dentistry passionate about tackling the oral health inequalities faced by those living with special needs. She is a Consultant at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where she sees patients with medical complexities and disability, is a member of the Head & Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Team, and teaches UWA dental students. She serves on the State Oral Health Advisory Committee of the WA Chief Dental Office. She completed a Masters in Special Care Dentistry at the Eastman Dental Institute, London, a Diploma in Special Care Dentistry (Royal College of Surgeons England), and Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (University of Adelaide). She recently contributed 6 textbook chapters to A Practical Approach to Special Care Dentistry (Wiley-Blackwell 2022).
Dr Lydia See Since graduating from the University of Western Australia, Lydia quickly discovered her passion laid within three distinct areas: special care dentistry, dental education and community dentistry. As a result, Lydia completed a Master of Geriatric Dentistry at the University of Southern California, Diploma in Special Care Dentistry with The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and then became a dental specialist after completing a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Special Needs Dentistry) at the University of Queensland. Her clinical experience spans across diverse settings including public, hospital and private clinical practice. She has actively contributed to tertiary education and research. She also has extensive experience in dental volunteering and working with not-for-profit organisations. Outside of her professional commitments, Lydia enjoys exploring vegetarian culinary delights, music and theatre.
