Journal Article

Disability Part 3: Improving access to dental practices in Merseyside

Pealing, R, Edwards, D M, Merry, A J

2002

Overview

Key Points Dental practices in Merseyside took part in a programme to improve accessibility. Disability awareness training can help understanding of disabled people's needs and break down some barriers. Attitudes are just as important as physical premises in improving access. Disability audits highlighted some simple and inexpensive changes that practices could make to improve accessibility The paper gives examples of simple changes that practices can consider. Several Merseyside dental practices took part in disability access audits of practice premises and practice staff took part in disability awareness training. Grants were awarded to part-fund improvements to practice facilities in line with the recommendations in the audit reports. The dental teams reported that the awareness training was very valuable and many common issues arose from the audits. Access for disabled people needs to be considered in all practice developments to ensure that dental practices comply with Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act by 2004.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: Architectural Accessibility - economics / Attitude of Health Personnel / Attitudes / Audits / Dental Audit / Dental Care for Disabled / Dental Offices / Dental Staff / Dentistry / Dentists / Disability discrimination / Disabled Persons - legislation & jurisprudence / Education, Dental / England / Financial Support / Follow-Up Studies / Grants / Handicapped accessibility / Health Services Accessibility / Humans / Interior Design and Furnishings / Medicine / People with disabilities / practice / Primary care / Public health / Quality Assurance, Health Care / Safety