Special Health Care Needs
Amanda D. Collie, DDS
Resident
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Elizabeth Bortell, DDS
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Jayakumar Jayaraman, BDS, MDS, FDSRCS, MS, PhD (he/him/his)
Associate Professor
VCU Pediatric Dentistry
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Tiffany Williams, DDS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
RICHMOND, Virginia, United States
Elizabeth Bortell, DDS
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States
First Dental Visit in Children with Special Health Care Needs
Collie AD, Jayaraman J, Carrico C, Bortell EB
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Purpose: The specific aim of this project is to evaluate the average age and primary reason for the first dental visit among patients with special health care needs (SHCN) as well as to examine socioeconomic factors and other barriers related to children with SHCN accessing care.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey that was distributed to parents and guardians of children with SHCN. Study data was collected through REDCap, a secure web-based survey application. The qualification to take this survey included having a child with a SHCN that presented for a new or recall patient examination.
Results: Final results are still pending, but based on preliminary data from 56 guardians, 73% reported their child was 1-3 years old when they first saw the dentist and 91% first saw a pediatric dentist. Only 16% reported their child being greater than 3 years old by their first visit. The most common reason for the first appointment was an exam and cleaning or routine checkup (84%). About one-third of guardians reported an experience where a dentist was unable to provide care for their child due to their SHCN (34%).
Conclusion: It appears that children with SHCN are establishing care with a pediatric dentist for routine care at an early age. It is important to continue to educate parents and guardians of children with SHCN on the importance of routine care as well as support general dentists in their role of caring for patients with SHCN.