SPECIAL NEEDS OF SPECIAL CHILDREN-PARENTAL VIEW

: Individuals with special health care needs experience poor oral hygiene and periodontal status and are more likely to have unmet dental needs than any other medical needs. The study was conducted to assess the views, attitudes and perceptions of oral health and treatment needs among the parents of 250 children with disabilities at 3 special schools in Mangalore based on questionnaire method. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. The educational status of the parents were assessed and it was seen that more than 50% of the parents had school education of class 10 and below. 52% of the parents felt that dental treatment is not as important medical treatment and 69 % of the parent's preferred general dentist and only 12.3% had consulted Pedodontist for any dental needs of their children. Only 11% followed a regular dental check-up and 57% of the parents interviewed visited dentist only when required. 30% of the parents reported lack of awareness as the greatest barrier faced by them in rendering dental care for their children. There was a generalised lack of information regarding oral health and treatment needs seen among the parents of the children with special health care needs. The level of knowledge appeared to be low and the parents were not aware of the unique problems faced by these children.