Survey of Unmet Dental Treatment Needs among Adult Disabled

Abstract

This study analyzed the rate of unmet dental care service for the disabled who were judged to require the dentistry due to oral health-related problems and those reasons, and also examined the oral health status according to the unmet dentistry. 375 subjects, who were 19 years or older and completed oral health examination and a survey, among 444 responded positive of disability registration after participation in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES), were analyzed. Disability type was classified into 6 kinds(physical disability, brain lesions, sensory defect, developmental disability, mental disorder, endocrine disorder). Participants had 128 of their dental care needs unmet when it was required. 'Financial burden' was the main reason, with the subject of 49.2%, followed by 'lower on the priority scale' were 18.0%. The high frequency and progression permanent teeth caries experiencs and periodontal status of their dental disease were confirmed. In availability aspect of dentistry resources, it is required for using dentistry service smoothly through providing sufficient proper dental care service comparing with the number of the disabled.