La percepción de los pacientes y acompañantes sobre acceso y atención a personas con discapacidad física y cognitiva en las clínicas odontológicas de la Universidad Santo Tomás

Abstract

Introduction: This research work aims to determine the perception of patients, companions and those who present conditions of disability, on care and access to dental clinics of the Santo Tomas University. Objective: To establish the parameters that is perceived with greatest difficulty for access and care for people with physical and cognitive disabilities. Methodology: An analytical observational cross - sectional study was carried out on 255 people considered as patients and/or companions who were in the waiting rooms, with ages between 16 and 85 years; to whom a self - administered questionnaire was applied on the perception they had about access and care for people with physical and cognitive disabilities in the dental clinics of the Santo Tomas University. Results: The perception regarding the attention of the personnel was positive in the treatment of the students with the patients 238 (93.3%), nevertheless, it is perceived that the student personnel do not have the capacity to attend to people with hearing impairment 81 (31.7%). The absence of elevators 234 (91.7%) and the lack of ramps 224 (87.8%) are reported as access barriers in dental clinics. However, the perception was positive 146 (57.2%) for the access and mobility of people who require help to move in the different corridors. Conclusions: According to the perception of the patients and companions of the dental clinics of the Santo Tomas University, it is established that there are some access barriers that hinder the dentist-patient encounter, considering that this population requires certain adaptations in terms of space, design and infrastructure, given your needs. However, a positive perception is highlighted regarding the attention provided by the dental staff of the Santo Tomas University for people with functional diversity.