Other
Sinhee Bae, DDS
Pediatric Dental Resident
Boston University, Boston, MA
Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Massachusetts, United States
Abidin Hakan Tuncer, DMD, MPH, FSCD
Children's Hospital Colorado
Christine Chiao, MPH, DMD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Keri Discepolo, DDS, MPH
Post Graduate Program Director of Pediatric Dentistry
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Keri Discepolo, DDS, MPH
Post Graduate Program Director of Pediatric Dentistry
Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Objective: Dental transition refers to the process through which children with special health care needs (CSHCN) transition from pediatric dental practices to an adult practice setting. If dental transition is not conducted properly this vulnerable population may be lacking access to dental care as they enter adulthood. The goal of this study is to provide a general overview of current practices of dental transition of CSHCN among U.S. pediatric dental residency programs from the perspective of residents and program directors.
Method: Two different surveys were sent using Redcap to two different groups: 1) pediatric dental residency directors 2) pediatric dental residents, to obtain information about how dental transition is completed in residency programs.
Results: 70 pediatric dental residents responded to the survey: 61% reported that they have never heard of the term dental transition of CSHCN prior to the survey, 61% reported that they had no didactic training on dental transition of CSHCN, and 64% responded that their program lacks a set guideline on dental transition of CSHCN. Residents reported patient behavior as the most common obstacle in caring for CSHCN (78%), followed by insurance coverage (61%), and limited collaboration with other specialties (52%).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, pediatric dental residents require improved education on dental transitions for CSHCN, with guidelines to minimize CSHCN being lost in their transition beyond pediatric dental care. Given barriers to care experienced by this population, it is important to address the perceived obstacles pediatric residents face in treating this population.