Bill D J, Weddell J A
Northeastern Center, Inc, Kendallville, IN, USA.
Spec Care Dentist. 1986 Nov-Dec;6(6):246-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-4505.1986.tb01583.x.
Today's professional health care centers are becoming more accessible to patients with handicapping conditions each year. The increase in numbers of these persons in society, along with their desire to be treated locally, will result in a much higher influx of persons with disabling conditions seeking professional services. Dental professionals should be aware and make appropriate responses to the needs of these special patients. State codes for facilities access vary widely, but are clearly becoming more defined as federal legislation and federal regulations continue to support the rights of persons with disabling conditions to access work, study, leisure, and services. The dental profession has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in handicapped access in both the private and public professional sectors without direct governmental mandates. The American Dental Association and constituent state associations can further accomplish this by setting accessibility guidelines for the dental environment.
如今，专业医疗保健中心每年都越来越便于残障患者就诊。社会上这类人群数量的增加，以及他们希望在当地接受治疗的愿望，将导致寻求专业服务的残障人士大量涌入。牙科专业人员应意识到这些特殊患者的需求并做出适当回应。各州关于设施无障碍的法规差异很大，但随着联邦立法和联邦法规继续支持残障人士获得工作、学习、休闲和服务的权利，这些法规显然正变得更加明确。牙科行业有机会在没有政府直接指令的情况下，在私营和公共专业领域的无障碍设施方面发挥引领作用。美国牙科协会及其各州分会可以通过制定牙科环境的无障碍指南来进一步实现这一目标。
