Volume 13 Issue 8
Open-access Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs for Children with Special Needs: A Cross-Sectional Study
1Dr Babar Shahzad, 2Dr Faiza Maqsood, 3Dr Shikoh Naz, 4Dr Mahwish Bano, 5Dr. Samreen Mazhar, 6Dr Zamin Abbas
1Associate Professor, PIMS Islamabad
2Assistant Professor, Bolan Medical College, Quetta
3Associate Professor, Department Community Dentistry, Hamdard University Dental Hospital
4BDS MPH, Assistant Professor, Department Community Dentistry, BDS MPH Assistant Professor Baqai Dental College
5BDS MPH, Assistant Professor, Department Community Dentistry, Baqai Dental College
6Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar
ABSTRACT
Background: Children with special needs often experienced a higher burden of oral diseases due to difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene, limited access to dental care, and the presence of systemic conditions. Their oral health status had been a neglected area, leading to unmet treatment needs and poor quality of life. Understanding their oral health profile was essential for designing preventive and therapeutic strategies tailored to this vulnerable population.
Aim: The study was aimed at assessing the oral health status and treatment needs of children with special needs, thereby identifying gaps in care and highlighting priority areas for dental intervention.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at PIMS Islamabad from June 2024 to May 2025. A total of 80 children with special needs were included through purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured oral examinations based on WHO Oral Health Assessment criteria. Demographic and clinical details were recorded, and treatment needs were categorized into preventive, restorative, and surgical requirements. Statistical analysis was performed to determine prevalence patterns and treatment demand distribution.
Results: The study revealed that a majority of the participants exhibited poor oral hygiene, with 62.5% presenting with dental caries and 47.5% showing gingival inflammation. Malocclusion was observed in 35% of the cases. Treatment needs were high, with 60% requiring restorative care, 25% requiring extractions, and 40% in need of preventive interventions such as fluoride therapy and oral health education. A significant association was observed between the severity of disability and the extent of dental treatment needs (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Children with special needs demonstrated compromised oral health and substantial unmet treatment needs. The findings underscored the necessity for specialized preventive programs, caregiver education, and improved access to dental services. Integration of oral health care into their routine medical and rehabilitative programs was recommended to enhance overall quality of life.
Keywords: Oral health, Special needs children, Dental caries, Treatment needs, Cross-sectional study
