Special needs

(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)

CHILDREN with special needs generally receive oral health care and yet they also suffer from more dental health issues.

This is among the findings of a study published in Pediatrics, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The study was led by Lydie A. Lebrun-Harris, PhD, MPH, of the Office of Epidemiology and Research, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“We sought to estimate the prevalence of oral health problems of preventive oral health services among children and youth with special health care needs,” said Dr. Lebrun-Harris, the lead author.

The study used pooled data from the 2016–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health.

The analytic sample was limited to children 1 to 17 years old, including 23,099 with special health care needs and 75,612 children without special needs.

Parents and caregivers reported that measures of oral health problems that were either fair or poor teeth condition, decayed teeth and cavities, toothaches, and bleeding gums.

Oral health services were defined as preventive dental visits, cleanings, tooth brushing and oral health care instructions, fluoride, and sealants.

The study found that a higher proportion of children with special needs (84 percent) received a preventive dental visit in the previous year. Similar patterns were found for preventive services.

However, those with special needs had higher rates of oral health problems. For example, decayed teeth and cavities were reported in 16 percent.

Several factors were significantly associated with decreased oral health services, including younger or older age, lower household education, non-English language, lack of health insurance, lack of a medical home, and worse condition of teeth.

The study concluded that children with special needs have higher rates of oral health services and yet worse oral health status.

“Ensuring appropriate use of oral health services among children with special needs is critical to the reduction of oral health problems,” said Dr. Lebrun-Harris.

Worldwide, the oral health status is compromised in children and youth with special care needs. This is because of certain diseases or their inability to apply enough oral care themselves.

There is a need for caretakers to be aware of these issues and thus play a critical role. Frequent dental visits, for example, are vital in maintaining good oral hygiene.

Community dental nurses could visit children with special needs to help them in improving and maintenance of good oral health.

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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists;  Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.

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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN

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