Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
October 2003
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Electronic ISSN:
1754-2758
Vol:
4
Issue:
2

Perceived dental needs and experiences of preventive dental care of patients attending a paediatric cardiology clinic

Aim: This study aimed to assess the need for dental services expressed by the patients attending a Paediatric Cardiology Outpatient Clinic and the level of preventive care reported. Design of the study: A questionnaire evaluated the expressed dental needs of these patients and the level of preventive dental care received. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 randomly chosen patients. Main outcome measures: To assess patients’ access to dental care, invasive treatment and preventive care reported and parents’ knowledge of antibiotic cover. Results: Eighty-five questionnaires were analysed; 77 families reported no difficulty in obtaining dental care; 51% received care in the general dental services. A total of 37% reported receiving fillings, 31% extractions, 12% fissure sealants and 11% fluoride treatment. In all 60% reported receiving advice about prevention of dental disease. More patients who recalled receiving preventive advice reported receiving invasive treatment, compared with those who did not. (p < 0.05). More patients who recalled receiving preventive treatment, reported receiving invasive treatment, compared with those who did not recall receiving preventive treatment (p < 0.001). Fortynine families recalled being given advice about antibiotic cover prior to invasive dental care. Conclusions: Most patients had access to dental care. Although these patients should be given priority for preventive dental care, relatively few reported receiving it, and many reported receiving invasive treatments. It appears that young patients with cardiac disorders are not being given adequate preventive dental care at a sufficiently young age. A smaller percentage of patients than expected was aware of the need for antibiotic cover. Key words: Dentistry; preventive dentistry; congenital heart defects

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£15.00
Page Start
64
Page End
68
Authors
S A Qureshi, H E Pitt Ford

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial
  2. 50
  3. 50

  1. Do health care professionals refer housebound people to dental services? Referral behaviours and characteristic factors
  2. 51
  3. 57

  1. Incidence of dental caries in children and young adults with Down syndrome in Kuwait
  2. 58
  3. 63

  1. Perceived dental needs and experiences of preventive dental care of patients attending a paediatric cardiology clinic
  2. 64
  3. 68

  1. The oral and dental health of children in special national schools in the Eastern Regional Health Authority Area, Ireland 1999/2000
  2. 69
  3. 76

  1. Short Communication - The impact of childhood disability and chronic illness upon siblings
  2. 77
  3. 78

  1. An investigation into the dental health of children attending two special day schools in South Warwickshire
  2. 79
  3. 84

  1. Atypical facial pain in a patient with Moebius syndrome
  2. 85
  3. 88

  1. BSDH News
  2. 89
  3. 102

  1. British Society for Disability and Oral Health European Year of Disability Special Award – Primary Care Setting
  2. 104
  3. 104

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