SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR DISABLED PATIENT: A NEW REASON TO SMILE

Abstract

For many centuries, society has been having difficulties dealing with disabled individuals. Such difficulties are a result of historical legacy and lack of information, which generates prejudice and makes society unable to provide care to these people. Disabled individuals have physical, intellectual, social and/or emotional alterations and they need to receive special education and temporary and definitive additional instructions. Social inclusion is based on the fact that every human being has the right to education, health, culture, leisure, work, social care, as well as access to information, communication, means of transport, and venues to get together. In that sense, dental care must be promoted. The objective of the present study is to report on a clinical case of a 17-year-old disabled patient who was having difficulties getting a job due to his oral condition. After being treated in the Extracurricular Project "Achieving Health:  Disabled Patients' Care" of ULBRA/RS, the patient's self-esteem was higher and he was socially included.