Dentistry

Process of establishing the academic and clinical aspect of SCD in the Arab World, particularly Lebanon: A promising challenge

24^th Global Dentists and Pediatric Dentistry Annual Meeting

June 11-12, 2018 | London, UK

Mohamad Saad El Masri

University College London, London

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Dentistry

Abstract:

The Arab region of the world is rapidly changing and advancing. There are striking differences from the developed world in terms of prevalence and type of diseases leading to various forms of disability. Furthermore, political challenges, financial constraints, limited healthcare systems, and negative attitudes and beliefs towards individuals with disability are all factors that can influence the provision of healthcare services for these individuals. These factors can additionally impact on access to oral healthcare, which is often not considered a priority. Although approximately 15% of the population in the Arab states are estimated to be living with disability. Attitudes toward disability in this region have been found to be negative. There are few studies in the region with regards to the dental needs of individuals with disabilities. Dental education and training to provide oral health care for patients with disability in the Arab world are remarkably limited. Countries in the region should take advantage from the available evidence provided by the International Association for Disability and Oral Health (iADH) and the British Society for Disability and Oral Health (BSDH) and consider establishing SCD within the undergraduate curriculum. The aims of the presentation are to review the impact of disability across the region, identify factors that may influence access to healthcare, review barriers in order to enable the imminent approach to address the provision of SCD, and outline the pathway that will enable the establishment of the Academic and Clinical Aspect of SCD in the Arab world, and particularly in Lebanon.

Biography :

Mohamad Saad El Masri is specialised in Special Care Dentistry (Dentistry for people with disability). His aim is to trigger the establishment of the Clinical and Academic aspect of SCD across the MENA countries-particularly Lebanon, to enable the delivery of oral healthcare for people with an impairment or disability.
Email:mohamadsaadmasri@gmail.com