Parental Perception of a Dental Home for Children with Special Needs

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a major gap in the literature that addresses parental perception of acquiring a dental home for children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN). The objectives of this study are to assess parental perceptions and challenges in acquiring a dental home for their CSHCN. METHODS: Cross-sectional prospective study using a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 302 questionnaires were completed by caregivers. More than 70% of children had developmental delay, 20% had musculoskeletal disabilities, and the rest had respiratory compromise on non-invasive ventilation, learning disability, and visual and hearing disabilities; 75% of the caregivers do not believe pediatricians are qualified to contribute in oral hygiene. Moreover, 70% of children had not had a routine dentist visit in the 12 months preceding the interview. The reasons given for the lack of such visits included the long time of appointments (25%), difficulty in child’s mobility (17%), the perception that dental care is expensive (9%), and a lack of dentist experience in dealing with children with special needs (5%). When asked what factors would encourage caregivers to choose a dental home for their children, 63% mentioned quick appointments, followed by dentists specialized in children with special needs (51%), child friendly atmosphere (21%), low cost (26.6%), close to home (20%), and others (6%). Interestingly, the majority of parents (75%) believed that the primary pediatrician of the child should initiate the dental home process. CONCLUSION: Despite proper resources, children with special healthcare needs lack proper oral healthcare. This could be attributed to the lack of a dental home. A pediatrician’s role is crucial in initiating the process of acquiring a dental home for this special population.