Barriers to dental care access for patients with special needs in an affluent metropolitan community

BACKGROUND: The number of adults with developmental and acquired disabilities is growing and there are not enough general dentists treating special needs patients to meet the increased demand. In Oakland County, there are 140,160 persons registered with a developmental or acquired disability and only 36 dentists in the county that are indicated for treating patients with special needs. METHODS: A survey was sent to 385 students, ages 3 to 26, at six special education schools and developmental centers in Oakland County. There were 117 responses. RESULTS: The most difficult barrier to oral healthcare that adult patients with special needs, encounter is finding a dentist willing to treat these complex patients. 20% of the surveyed population currently does not have a dentist. There is a correlation between decreased dental access and lower median income. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant need for improving special care dentistry training and increasing the number of general dentists that are able and willing to treat adults with special needs. Adequate resources and a database can help caregivers, parents, and medical professionals locate dentists who treat special needs patients. Increased experience for general dentists through residency training and continuing education courses will help to increase confidence and knowledge in practice special care dentistry.