Dental Needs and Management of Children With Special Health Care Needs According to Type of Disability

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the dental needs and management of special health care needs children in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to the type of disability. Methods: Records of 428 0- to 19-year-old patients who received dental treatment at the Patients Special Care Needs Clinic (Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro) from 1996-2009 were analyzed. Information about the type of disability, use of medication, dental exam findings, management during treatment, dental treatment performed, and follow-up examinations were collected. Children were divided into 2 groups: those with medical conditions and those with intellectual disability. Results: Patients with medical conditions used more medications and were older than those with intellectual disability. The most common dental treatments received were dental restorations (63%) and extractions (47%). There was no association between the type of disability and dental treatment needed. Children with intellectual disability were 3 times more likely to need general anesthesia and 7 times more likely to need physical restraint for dental care than the other group. Conclusions: Children with intellectual disability have a greater chance of requiring advanced management techniques during dental treatment. The development of effective oral health programs is recommended as well as a specific education program for their parents.