2019 Volume 57 Issue 1 Pages 23-29
The aim of this investigation was to examine the relationship between dental clinic visit behavior and caries experience of physically disabled children. We analyzed the school dental health examination records of students attending 3 different special needs schools, as well as results of a questionnaire survey given to the students and their parents in 2016.
1.The survey responses showed that 87.1% of the children had chosen a family dental clinic and 72.7% regularly visited there at least once a year.
2.The types of dental care institutions who provided care for the children included university hospital dental clinics (n＝68 respondents), clinics for general / pediatric dentistry (n＝55), dental clinics attached to a facility for disabled individuals (n＝23), dental clinics in a general hospital (n＝15),and dental centers for disabled individuals (12).
3.There were no significant differences regarding the prevalence rate of decayed / filled permanent teeth among the children regardless of type of dental care institution that provided care.
4.Beginning periodic dental visits before the age of 6 years was significantly associated with reduced prevalence of caries and average number of decayed / filled permanent teeth.
These results indicate that disabled special needs children tend to receive dental care from a specialized institution. Furthermore, periodic dental clinic visits, regardless of type of institution, should be recommended for such children to prevent dental caries occurrence.
