Survey of Trends in Patients with Disabilities and Illnesses at Pediatric Dentistry Department of Tokushima University Hospital between 2013 and 2018

<p>The characteristics of disabilities and illnesses are gradually being understood end the social environment and welfare system for them are improving. However, the environment of dental care at the dental clinic for the children with disabilities and illnesses is not yet sufficient, and urgent environmental improvement is required. Therefore, to clarify the problems of dental situation for those patients, we investigated first-visit patients with disabilities and illness who visited our department from 2013 to 2018. Of the 1,301 first-visit patients, the percentage of children with disabilities and illnesses was 49%. In this study, the disabilities and illnesses were categorized with physical disabilities, sensory disorders, internal disorders, developmental disorders, seizure disorders, congenital malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, and genetic abnormalities. The 323 patients included 4% with physical disabilities, 11% with sensory disorders, 15% with internal disorders, 34% with developmental disorders, 8% with seizure disorders, 14% with congenital malformations, 8% with chromosomal abnormalities, and 6% with genetic abnormalities were further investigated. Caries was the most common complaint (31%) followed by cleft lip and palate (17%), dental check-up (14%), surgical treatment (11%), denture guidance (8%), trauma (4%), and swallowing (3%). Ninety-three percent of the patients brought a letter of referral and 7% did not. The number of patients by residential area was highest in Tokushima City (37%), where our hospital is located. This was followed by Anan City (10%) and Naruto City (8%). Nine percent of the patients came from outside Tokushima Prefecture. The dental needs of children with disabilities and illness, as well as the environment and system surrounding them, should be analyzed from the standpoint of both the patient and the medical personnel, so that the needs of both parties can be met.</p>