Dental conference for people with disabilities kicks off at UiTM

SUNGAI BULOH: The first dental conference for people with disabilities was launched on Saturday (Nov 25). 

Women, Family and Community Development minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said it was an important conference for one of the Ministry's target groups. 

“People with special needs are a part of the community and they have the right to live like any other member of the community,” she said. 

In Malaysia, there are seven categories of Persons with Disabilities including physical disabilities, learning disabilities and mental disabilities. 

“If we understand their needs, it will be easier to give them specialised services such as dental services,” she said. 

Rohani added that the Government started introducing dental care for people with special needs in 2011 and said that there are now seven public institutions offering these services, said Rohani.

"Now another clinic has been added at UiTM and it is expected to fully benefit those with special needs in keeping their health in check,” she said. 

Out of 31.7 million Malaysians, it is estimated that 4.76 million live with disabilities. 

The "Disability: We Care" conference was organised by the Universiti Teknologi (UiTM) Mara Sungai Buloh dentistry faculty and will end on Sunday (Nov 26).

The conference is offering events such as eye and dental clinics, health talks, seminars, basic life support demonstrations and food trucks.

Rohani also launched the UiTM Special Care Dentistry Clinic at the university’s Sungai Buloh campus.