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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU 2015; 05(02): 038-044
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1703887
Original Article

SPECIAL NEEDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN-PARENTAL VIEW

Amitha M. Hegde
1   Professor & HOD, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Children Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial, Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore Karnataka, India.
,
Aiswarya Ann Babu
2   Post Graduates, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Children Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial, Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore Karnataka, India.
,
Anshad Mohammed
2   Post Graduates, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Children Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial, Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore Karnataka, India.
,
Anu John
2   Post Graduates, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Children Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial, Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore Karnataka, India.
,
Kanwardeep Singh
2   Post Graduates, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Children Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial, Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore Karnataka, India.
,
Preethi V C.
2   Post Graduates, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Children Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial, Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore Karnataka, India.
,
Swathi Shetty
2   Post Graduates, Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Children Dentistry, A.B. Shetty Memorial, Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte University, Mangalore Karnataka, India.
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Abstract

Individuals with special health care needs experience poor oral hygiene and periodontal status and are more likely to have unmet dental needs than any other medical needs. The study was conducted to assess the views, attitudes and perceptions of oral health and treatment needs among the parents of 250 children with disabilities at 3 special schools in Mangalore based on questionnaire method. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis.

The educational status of the parents were assessed and it was seen that more than 50% of the parents had school education of class 10 and below. 52% of the parents felt that dental treatment is not as important medical treatment and 69 % of the parent's preferred general dentist and only 12.3% had consulted Pedodontist for any dental needs of their children. Only 11% followed a regular dental check-up and 57% of the parents interviewed visited dentist only when required. 30% of the parents reported lack of awareness as the greatest barrier faced by them in rendering dental care for their children.

There was a generalised lack of information regarding oral health and treatment needs seen among the parents of the children with special health care needs. The level of knowledge appeared to be low and the parents were not aware of the unique problems faced by these children.

Keywords

children - special health care needs - attitudes - treatment needs


Publication History

Article published online:
22 April 2020

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