Special Care Dentistry: A Challenge to the Profession

Year 2024, Volume: 9 Issue: 4, 379 - 387

Simran Uppal , Amina Sultan , Gaurav Kumar

https://doi.org/10.26453/otjhs.1532374

Abstract

Special healthcare needs (SHCN) can be developmental, congenital or acquired through trauma, disease or environmental causes, which may limit activities related to daily self-maintenance. Approximately 1 billion people (15% of the population globally) have some disability or special need. Among the dental diseases, dental caries is the most common issue across various disability groups, having a prevalence rate between 27.55% to 91.90% globally, along with poor periodontal health (23.9% - 97%) and Traumatic dental injuries (12.1%-40%). Due to challenges of limited access, financial constraints, lack of trained dental professionals and insufficient awareness about oral health, children's dental problems go undetected, causing a substantial unmet demand for dental treatment later in adulthood. By increasing access to appropriate healthcare facilities, providing dentists with specialized training, and continually implementing new treatment methods, special children can be empowered to receive the dental care they deserve.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorder, children with special healthcare needs, dental caries, intellectual and physical disabilities, oral health

Ethical Statement

This article is a review study with the editor’s invitation. Ethics committee approval is not required.

Özel Bakım Diş Hekimliği: Mesleğin Karşılaştığı Zorluklar

Abstract

Özel sağlık bakımı ihtiyaçları (ÖSBİ) gelişimsel, doğuştan veya travma, hastalık veya çevresel nedenlerle edinilmiş olabilir ve günlük öz bakımla ilgili aktiviteleri sınırlayabilir. Yaklaşık 1 milyar kişi (küresel nüfusun %15'i) bir miktar engelli veya özel ihtiyaç sahibidir. Diş çürükleri, çeşitli engellilik grupları arasında en yaygın sorundur ve küresel olarak %27,55 ile %91,90 arasında bir yaygınlık oranına sahiptir, ayrıca zayıf periodontal sağlık (%23,9- %97) ve travmatik diş yaralanmaları (%12,1- %40) ile birlikte görülür. Sınırlı erişim, finansal kısıtlamalar, eğitimli diş hekimlerinin eksikliği ve ağız sağlığı konusunda yetersiz farkındalık zorlukları nedeniyle çocukların diş sorunları tespit edilememekte ve yetişkinlikte diş tedavisi için önemli bir karşılanmamış talebe neden olmaktadır. Uygun sağlık tesislerine erişimi artırarak, diş hekimlerine özel eğitim sağlayarak ve sürekli yeni tedavi yöntemleri uygulayarak, özel çocuklar hak ettikleri diş bakımını almaları için güçlendirilebilir.

Keywords

Ağız sağlığı, diş çürükleri, otizm spektrum bozukluğu, özel sağlık bakımına ihtiyaç duyan çocuklar, zihinsel ve fiziksel engelliler

Ethical Statement

This article is a review study with the editor’s invitation. Ethics committee approval is not required.

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