Dental health care for children with Down syndrome: Parents' description of their children's needs in dental health care settings. (26th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stensson, Malin; Norderyd, Johanna; Van Riper, Marcia; Marks, Luc; Björk, Maria
• Is Part Of: European journal of oral sciences. Volume 130:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-26
• Subjects: children -- children's rights -- dental health care -- Down syndrome; Dentistry -- Periodicals; Oral medicine -- Periodicals; 617.6005
• DOI: 10.1111/eos.12859
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0909-8836

Abstract

Abstract: A visit to the dental clinic may be challenging for a child with Down syndrome due to medical and oral health problems as well as communication problems. The aim of the present study was to explore how parents of children with Down syndrome describe their child's needs in the dental health care setting. In a survey concerning parental experiences with dental health care in Sweden, free comments were analysed with content analysis and resulted in five categories: "Need for continuity of care in dental health care"; "Need for dental health care professionals to have knowledge and expertise in caring for children with Down syndrome and other disabilities"; "Need for dental health care professionals to use a caring approach with children with Down syndrome"; "Need for the child with Down syndrome to be prepared to participate in their dental health care visit" and "Need for the child with Down syndrome to be given the same rights as typically developing children". To support children with Down syndrome in an optimal way, dental health care needs to be tailored to meet the child's unique needs. In addition, dental health care professionals need knowledge of and expertise in the care of children with Down syndrome.