Dental Status among Children with and without Special Needs

Background and Objectives: Many children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are receiving dental care in hospital based pediatric dental clinics. However, little is known about the extent of caries, and the type of treatment received by CSHCN. The objectives of the study is to compare caries status and type of treatment received by children with and without special health care needs (CSHCN vs. non-CSHCN) at a hospital based pediatric dental clinic. Methods: A random sample of 400 dental charts of subjects (age range: 0 to 17 years) receiving dental care between July 2005 to June 2009 was examined. Patient data abstracted from the charts were: age, sex, insurance type, and any types of special health care needs (medical, physical, psychological) the children had in addition to dental health status; decayed, missing, filled primary (dmft) and permanent teeth (DMFT) and treatment plan (filling, stainless steel crown (SSC), pulp therapy, and extraction). Data was analyzed using SPSS 17. Results: A total of 351 patient charts had complete data and were available for analysis. The sample's demographics were: mean age 5.42±3.65, 49.3% were male, 85.2% on Medicaid and 44.7% of subjects were CSHCN. CSHCN (n=157) were significantly (p<0.05) older than non-CSHCN (n=194). In addition, there was a significant gender difference (p<0.001) between the two groups; female in non-CSHCN was 59.8%, while male in CSHCN was 60.5%. However, Medicaid status and the mean dmft and DMFT were not different between the two groups. In types of treatment, the non-CSHCN had significantly (p<0.05) increased SSC and pulp therapy in the primary teeth compared to CSHCN, while primary teeth extractions were significantly (p<0.05) increased in CSHCN. Conclusion: The caries status of CSHCN was similar to non-CSHCN. But, treatment types differed with CSHCN receiving more extractions compared to restorations indicating.