Prevalence of dysphagia in dental patients and dentists' perceptions of the role of speech and language therapy in its management

Abstract

Dental patients often suffer from dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, which can have a large impact on their quality of life and general health. There is strong association of poor dental health, such as absence of teeth, caries and xerostomia with swallowing difficulties. Older adults and those with compromised dental status are more likely to have dysphagia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dysphagia among 177 dental patients and ascertain the dentists’ perception of Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) in dysphagia management. This study was a mixed method design at Dhaka Dental College and Hospital. The Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to collect quantitative data, and semi structured interviews with dentists were utilized to collect qualitative data. Oral dysphagia was present in 67.2%, pharyngeal dysphagia in 14.1%, and overall swallowing difficulty in 59.9%. Prevalence rates were higher in older participants, those with xerostomia (26.6%), and in those using dental prostheses, confirming the influence of age and dental health on swallowing function. Qualitative findings indicated that dentists have large knowledge gaps about the roles of SLTs. SLTs were mainly identified by dentists as being linked to speech care, without recognition of their role in swallowing rehabilitation. However, they understood that SLTs are essential in managing post-surgical recovery, GERD and special needs patients. The barriers to effective collaboration were found in the absence of referral pathways and lack of interdisciplinary frameworks. The results of this study underscore the importance of interdisciplinarity in working in partnership with SLT in improving the diagnosis, treatment and management of dysphagia in patients attending for dental care. Closing knowledge gaps can be achieved with structured training programs for providers, more effective communication pathways and better awareness all of which should contribute to more thorough and overall care of dental patients with dysphagia. Keywords: Dysphagia, Dental Patients, Denture