The purposes of this study were 1) to investigate the oral health problem of the disabled according to the handicapped types, 2) to collect the empirical data for developing and establishing the oral health policies for the handicapped, and 3) to find out the major obstacles against the dental services and oral health promotion. The handicapped subjects were collected by designed cluster sampling and interviewed with structured questionnaire in order to measure the oral health knowledge and behaviors. The subjects were attending the special schools and private or public welfare institutions for crippled disorder, encephalopathy disorder, mental retardation, visual disturbance, hearing defect, and developmental disorder. Oral examination was conducted by 13 trained dentists. 1,476 of handicapped people were finally surveyed. The results were as follows; The experiences of visiting dental office during the last one year in 18~64 year-old disabled people were 48.86% in crippled disorder, 52.50% in mental retardation, 58.24% in visual disturbance, 39.29% in hearing defect, respectively. To improve this challenging situation, we should find out the obstacles against the dental service and oral hygiene maintenance by the types of handicap, and develop the oral health policies which could support and advocate the Korean disabled.

The purpose of this study was to furnish data on the disabled's oral health status of the disabled in Busan, Korea. Material and Methods: Two dentists who were well experienced in caries examination surveyed the oral health status on 793 of disabled men in Busan from March to June in 2000 under natural solar light with plane mirror by the criteria which are suggested by World Health Organization (WHO). Results: The number of present permanent teeth of the disabled are lower than the undisabled. DMF rate and DMFT indices of the disabled were higher than the undisabled. DT rate of the disabled was higher than the undisabled. Conclusions: The development of community oral health care programs for the prevention and treatments of dental caries for the disabled is needed and active administrative policies should be established for the promotion of the disabled's oral health.

Manifestations in tuberous sclerosis such as seizure, mental retardation, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and heart problems present a number of challenges to the dentist and anesthesiologist. Lack of cooperation in addition to the severe medical condition makes dental treatment more difficult. General anesthesia is often required for mentally and physically handicapped patients undergoing extensive dental treatment. We experienced a case of dental treatment under general anesthesia in a 36-year-old male patient with tuberous sclerosis associated with ESRD and mental retardation. He was treated on an outpatient basis followed by hemodialysis without any complications.