About this course
Free course - no card required
Welcome to the Learning Disabilities Awareness course, designed for UK dental professionals to meet their CQC legal requirement for learning disabilities training.
As dental professionals, our responsibilities extend beyond just dental care; it's about ensuring every patient feels understood, valued, and comfortable.
This course will enhance your understanding of learning disabilities, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to offer exceptional care to all patients, regardless of their abilities.
This free course is a CQC mandatory topic.
This course is relevant to the whole dental team.
CPD Time: 1 hour (1 CPD Credit)
Customer feedback on this course
- Well presented and very informative course.
- This course was comprehensive and detailed yet easy to understand.
- Interesting topic, very well explained.
- Gave a lot of insight
Assessment: 12 MCQs. Pass mark 75%. more…
On passing the assessment you will immediately receive a GDC-recognised Enhanced CPD Certificate.
Aim:
To enhance the knowledge and understanding of dental professionals regarding learning disabilities, ensuring that they are equipped to offer compassionate, individualised, and effective dental care to patients with learning disabilities.
Course objective:
• To give participants an understanding of the implications for dental care, and effective strategies to manage and support patients with learning disabilities in the dental setting.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
The learner will:
• Understand their potential impact of learning disabilities on oral health.
• Recognise the specific challenges and barriers faced by patients with learning disabilities when accessing dental care and implement strategies to overcome them.
• Communicate effectively with patients with learning disabilities, employing alternative communication techniques when necessary.
• Collaborate with carers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive dental care planning tailored to the individual needs of patients with learning disabilities.
• Advocate for and contribute to creating an inclusive and supportive dental environment that respects and addresses the unique needs of every patient.
GDC Development Outcomes:
C
Learning content:
Learning Disabilities Awareness | Good Oral Health | What Are Learning Disabilities? | Signs of Learning Disabilities | Challenges and Reasonable Adjustments | Impact of Oral Health Problems | Oral Health Risk Factors | Barriers | Oral Care and Treatment Strategies | Fissure Sealing, Orthodontics | Reducing Anxiety | Training and Education for Carers | Course Completion
View full course description
Learning Disabilities Awareness
Course Description
Learning Disabilities Awareness
This course provides dental professionals with the knowledge and skills to deliver tailored care to individuals with learning disabilities. It covers key areas like communication strategies, oral health challenges, and legal considerations, ensuring inclusive, patient-centred care.
Good Oral Health
Look at the importance of maintaining good oral health for individuals with learning disabilities. This section highlights the need for accessible dental care and the importance of making reasonable adjustments to support patients' overall health.
What Are Learning Disabilities?
Gain a deeper understanding of learning disabilities, how they differ from learning difficulties, and the ways in which these disabilities can affect a person's daily life. This section also touches on how learning disabilities impact dental care.
Signs of Learning Disabilities
Learn about the various signs and characteristics of learning disabilities, including delayed developmental milestones, communication difficulties, and memory challenges. This section helps dental professionals recognise undiagnosed disabilities and provide appropriate support.
Challenges and Reasonable Adjustments
This section focuses on the unique oral health challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities and the adjustments dental professionals can make to ensure equitable care. It covers barriers such as limited access to services and cooperation difficulties.
Impact of Oral Health Problems
Discover the physical, psychological, and social consequences of poor oral health for individuals with learning disabilities. This section highlights the links between oral health and other chronic diseases, emphasising the need for proactive dental care.
Oral Health Risk Factors
Look at the specific risk factors for poor oral health in people with learning disabilities, including frequent sugar intake, medication side effects, and difficulties in accessing dental services. This section also addresses the role of caregivers in maintaining oral hygiene.
Barriers
Understand the barriers to good oral care and accessing dental services, from physical accessibility to communication challenges. This section discusses how dental professionals can overcome these obstacles to provide better care for patients with learning disabilities.
Oral Care and Treatment Strategies
Learn effective strategies for providing oral care to individuals with learning disabilities, including the use of home visits, desensitisation programmes, and collaboration with caregivers. This section also addresses the need for informed consent and sedation in extreme cases.
Fissure Sealing, Orthodontics
This section covers preventive treatments like fissure sealing and the challenges of orthodontic care for individuals with learning disabilities. It emphasises the importance of patient cooperation and simpler treatment options when necessary.
Reducing Anxiety
Reducing anxiety is very important in dental care for individuals with learning disabilities. This section provides techniques for involving patients in decision-making, using clear communication, and ensuring they have enough time to understand their treatment.
Training and Education for Carers
Caregivers play a essential role in the oral health of individuals with learning disabilities. This section focuses on the need for proper training programmes to equip caregivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to support daily oral hygiene and recognise dental issues.
Course Completion
Participants will complete a feedback survey, take a multiple-choice exam, and receive a CPD certificate. The course emphasises the importance of continuing education and the practical application of strategies learned in caring for patients with learning disabilities.
You can copy and adapt this example PDP entry for your own needs and circumstances. The format complies with GDC guidance on PDP structure.
| PDP Learning or Maintenance need |
| Understanding Learning Disabilities, and their impact on dental care. |
| How does this relate to my field of practice? |
| My job is patient facing. |
| Which development outcome(s) does it link to? |
| C |
| What benefit will this have to my work? |
| Perform tasks that are required for my normal role/duties. |
| How will I meet this learning or maintenance need? |
| Take the Verified Learning course on Learning Disabilities |
| When will I complete this by? |
Note: After copying and adapting the suggested PDP entry, remember to reflect, plan, act, and evaluate for every CPD activity you undertake.