Special Needs & Medical Study ✓ Peer reviewed

Special care dentistry: The quiet crisis at the margins of modern healthcare.

Future healthcare journal · Rooney YM, Shehabi Z · 2026-09-30

Demand for dental care services for people with physical, intellectual, medical, or social impairments is rising in England, with survey data revealing high levels of untreated dental disease and significant barriers to access, particularly affecting individuals with disabilities. The paper argues these challenges reveal broader equity and healthcare system integration issues and identifies opportunities to improve service delivery for vulnerable populations.

A plain-English summary of the study's own findings — we don't add our own claims or interpretation. Read the full paper for the complete methods and results, and apply your own clinical judgement.

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