Physical and Environmental Accessibility of Dental Services for Persons with Disabilities in Saudi Primary Health Care: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/

Objectives

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) may experience barriers when accessing oral health care, including those related to the physical and sensory environment of the dental-care setting. In this study we assessed the accessibility of primary health care centres (PHCs) providing dental services in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study across all 52 PHCs providing dental services in Al-Ahsa. We assessed facility-level accessibility using a structured checklist adapted from previous research and Saudi national accessibility standards. We classified accessibility features as appropriately installed, inappropriately installed, or not installed.

Results

Basic physical accessibility was generally favourable, with appropriately installed main entrances in 92.3% of PHCs and entrance corridors in all PHCs. However, toilet seats and basin heights were appropriately installed in only 17.3% and 19.2% of PHCs, respectively, and warning and evacuation systems in only 13.5%. Braille blocks and transfer aids were absent in 98.1% of PHCs, whereas positioning supports and noise-reduction strategies were absent in all PHCs. None of the seven PHCs with dental operatories on upper floors had an appropriately installed elevator. No significant sector differences remained after correction for multiple comparisons.

Conclusions

Basic physical access was generally favourable. However, many disability-specific accommodations were absent, and several existing features did not meet the predefined accessibility criteria. Regular assessments and targeted improvements to physical and environmental features in PHCs are needed to support inclusive oral health care for PWDs.