Abstract
It is important for children receiving treatment at home to not only live at home but also to connect with society and broaden the scope of their activities in terms of their growth and development. Accordingly, the disability welfare services at developmental support facilities for children with disabilities have been enhanced. However, the actual status of dental support by dental professionals at developmental support facilities for children with disabilities is not fully understood. Therefore, in order to understand the dental problems of users and the needs for pediatric home dental care at developmental support facilities for children with disabilities, we conducted a survey of such facilities to identify issues related to dental support at these facilities and to identify the needs for pediatric home dental care, taking into consideration the results of the first and second reports. Future efforts needed to provide dental care were discussed.
Responses were obtained from 106 of the 510 targeted developmental support facilities for children with disabilities (response rate : 20.8%). The most frequent consultation from users was about “eating functions” (72 cases, 67.9%), which was inconsistent with the medical care that could be provided in the first report. Regarding the participation in the guidance tours and workshops, 62 respondents (57.5%) answered that they “would like to participate,” and many respondents wished to utilize a “list of dentists who can provide pediatric home dental care” and the consultation service.
Based on the results of the survey at primary medical institutions, health centers, and developmental support offices for children with disabilities, it is necessary to clarify the procedures that should be provided in pediatric home dental care, and to hold training sessions to enhance the necessary expertise and disseminate the techniques. Therefore, it is considered necessary to establish a network system that enables everyone, including multidisciplinary professionals and patients, to grasp and share necessary and detailed information.
