A Survey on the Mode of Utilization of the Special Needs Dental Center of a University Hospital by Disabled People in the Community

Abstract

Our center was established in 1982 as a dental clinic for disabled patients at the same time as the Okayama University School of Dentistry was established. It serves as the third medical facility for disabled individuals for dental treatment in Okayama Prefecture. In recent years, the form of medical care has changed from being completed at a medical facility to being completed at a regional facility. Along with this trend, we are also conducting research on regional cooperative clinical path through which we hope to improve oral QOL in the lives of disabled people in the region. In this study, we report on the results of dental examinations of first-visit regional disabled patients for the years 2006 to 2013.
The total number of patients surveyed was 697. The majority of the patients suffered autism disabilities. By residential area, the largest number（295, 42.3％）lived in Okayama city. However, compared to our previous studies（1989 to 2006）, the ratio of residents of Okayama city decreased and that of patients visiting from outside the city increased. Regarding the route to examination at our facility, 79.9％ of patients were referred, an increase from the previous survey. The most common purpose of visit among referred patients was dental treatment（70.4％）, while examination and maintenance was the most common purpose among those who were not referred（27.1％）. Treatment under sedation was performed in 67.3％ of patients with referrals, which was significantly higher than the 39.0％ of patients without referrals.
Both the majority of patients with autism and the purpose of the visit being for dental treatment suggest that they had sought treatment at a dental office in the community but were referred to this center due to non-cooperation with treatment or other reasons.
The increase of patients from outside Okayama city as well as the increase in referrals is due to the establishment of a smooth referral system with regional dentists and the fact that this center is recognized regionally as the third medical facility.
We intend to continue monitoring the ratio of requests at this center, cooperating with the regions, and distributing information for medical facilities and patients.