Dental health is a concern for everyone. It is a major concern for those with limited capacity to understand the need for, or carry out dental heath routines.

As Community Visitors, and as an DSO (in Victoria), we saw the shocking conditions many residents of institutions suffered. One of these was the lack of proper and consistent dental hygiene.

Many who finally came out of the institutions, had lost most or many of their teeth. They moved into group homes where the dental health aspect was/is little better, given institutional cultures were allowed to be transportable.

Both the medical and dental professions agree it is easy to distinguish between those with intellectual or multiple disabilities living at home, and those living in supported accommodation group homes, especially DHS group homes, by their dental health.

The general community, has the ability to understand the need for, and result of various dental procedures. Whereas, those with limited capacity are further disadvantaged if they have limitations participating well in one of their major quality of life areas – being able eat and enjoy food properly.