Caring Beyond Words: fostering innovation and creativity in dental care of individuals with intellectual disability

Background: This project aims to tackle the difficulties individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) encounter when trying to access dental care. Research has revealed that children with ID face higher rates of hospital admissions for tooth extractions performed under general anesthesia. As they move into adulthood, there is a risk of their dental health deteriorating rapidly. This may result in more dental issues compared to the general population. Despite these disparities, individuals with ID are often excluded from health research initiatives. Project Aims: This program development grant seeks to create novel solutions to address the challenges faced by individuals with ID through a multidisciplinary approach. This approach involves artistic practices, cognitive science, and community engagement. The ultimate goal is to develop new dental care interventions, drawing on the insights of individuals with ID, community support staff, and creative professionals. The outcomes of this project will shape the work packages for the programme grant. Development Work Plan: The project consists of three steps: (a) Building a diverse team that includes individuals from various fields, such as artists, writers, community support staff, and researchers. This team will engage with co-researchers - individuals with ID who will familiarize themselves with the research process and support us throughout the project. (b) Conducting scoping literature reviews. (c) Creating a research engagement system, which comprises a series of interactive activities designed in collaboration with the team and co-researchers. We refer to it as a system to highlight our flexible and agile approach, enabling us to tailor different elements to meet the specific needs of our target group. The interactive sessions within this system will help us craft narratives and visuals that depict the dental care experiences of individuals with ID. Our goal is to analyze the intricate dynamics between patients and dentists, with a particular focus on the concepts of 'seeking and waiting' and 'moments of care.' These narratives will provide valuable insights, helping us formulate hypotheses about what works, why, and how. This process will allow us to create a comprehensive map of the challenges individuals face when seeking dental care, identify barriers, and explore solutions for enhanced engagement. Additionally, it will offer insights into dentists' perspectives, highlighting their challenges during interactions and crucial moments. Involvement of Patients and the Public: We are collaborating with Learning Disability England, an organisation with extensive experience in patient and public engagement and co-production. They will identify suitable people with lived experience, together with family members, and support them throughout the project. Expected Outcomes: The information we generate will be used to develop the work packages for a programme grant dedicated to dental care for individuals with ID.