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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Separation Anxiety Disorder | Research article

Pediatric dentists’ perspectives of children with special health care needs in Japan: developmental disabilities, phobia, maltreatment, and multidisciplinary collaboration

Authors: Ayako Ide-Okochi, Hiromi Funayama, Yoshinobu Asada

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The number of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities (DDs) or other chronic difficulties has risen. However, each professional’s awareness of children with developmental, emotional and behavioural difficulties may differ, allowing their special needs to be overlooked at child health checkups until secondary difficulties appear. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the multi-professional views of children with such chronic difficulties. This study investigates pediatric dentists’ perception of children with potential chronic difficulties.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 21 pediatric dentists, and the transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory to develop categories for the theoretical assessment.

Results

Four themes emerged regarding the children with potential chronic difficulties: children exhibiting possible DDs with awkward social communication and interaction; severe rampant caries possibly derived from maltreatment; dental phobia possibly derived from mental health problems; a complicated home environment where their mothers exhibit poor oral health literacy.

Conclusions

This study’s findings imply that participants’ concept of children of concern included the risks of poor oral health and mental health problems that other healthcare professionals might overlook. It is recommended that multidisciplinary professionals engaging in child health checkups be aware of children’s oral and mental health status as well as potential DDs and child maltreatment.

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Title: Pediatric dentists’ perspectives of children with special health care needs in Japan: developmental disabilities, phobia, maltreatment, and multidisciplinary collaboration
Authors: Ayako Ide-Okochi
Hiromi Funayama
Yoshinobu Asada
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Separation Anxiety Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Caries
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02711-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Pediatric dentists’ perspectives of children with special health care needs in Japan: developmental disabilities, phobia, maltreatment, and multidisciplinary collaboration

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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