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- Title
Oral Care Experiences and Challenges for Children with Down Syndrome: Reports From Caregivers.
- Authors
Duker, Leah I. Stein; Richter, Marinthea; Lane, Christianne J.; Polido, Josa C.; Cermak, Sharon A.
- Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral care experiences and challenges encountered by children with Down syndrome. Methods: Participants were 372 parents of five-to-14-year-olds with Down syndrome. Parents completed a 44-item questionnaire designed by the authors to elicit information about oral care in the home and dental office. Descriptive statistics were used to examine oral care variables. Results: Parents reported difficulty across almost all care variables, including oral care in the home, oral care at the dentist, and access to oral care. Approximately one-third of parent respondents reported that toothbrushing was difficult and brushing occurred four or fewer days a week. Over half of the respondents reported that it was difficult to have a dental professional clean their child's teeth, uncooperative behaviors and sensory activities increased in the office, and those behaviors and sensitivities made care challenging. Most respondents reported having a dental home for their child, that it was difficult locating their dentist, and that finances limited visits. Conclusions: Children with Down syndrome experience difficulties and barriers to care in both the home and dental office settings.
- Subjects
PEOPLE with Down syndrome; TOOTH care &; hygiene; CHILDREN'S dental care; CHILD caregivers; HEALTH promotion; HEALTH services accessibility
- Publication
Pediatric Dentistry, 2020, Vol 42, Issue 6, p430
- ISSN
0164-1263
- Publication type
Article