Dental characteristics profile of children living with disabilities in Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Children with disabilities are one such population group that are marginalized in our Society. Their cognitive, intellectual, or physical impairments makes them more susceptible to poorer general and oral health. International studies report high dental caries experience and unmet oral health needs for this population group. There are currently no studies in New Zealand that focus specifically on the oral health of children with disabilities The rationale for this study is to provide a characteristics profile of the oral health in special needs children in Aotearoa New Zealand. A retrospective quantitative study was conducted using data collected through the Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS). We examined the dental decay rate using (Decayed Missing Filled) index in 1017 children identified as having disabilities. The findings of this study showed that lower age groups (5-7 and 7-8) years, females, low and median school deciles and all ethnicities except Europeans and Others were significant with the DMF (Decayed Missing Filled) indices. Children who had medical conditions reported higher DMF scores and so did those who were classified as high risk and had radiographs taken. Due to a number of limitations with the dataset extracted from the ARDS database, a subsequent qualitative study was conducted. We explored the stakeholders’ perceptions of oral health in children living with disabilities, the qualitative interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The qualitative results findings identified issues around the recording of medical histories and the DMF scores. The interviews also gave a picture of the barriers and challenges faced by the children with disabilities and their families. This study provides a good foundation to use to build on future research for children with disabilities and their dental health profile.