A survey of the difficulties encountered during routine hygiene and health care by persons with special needs.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the difficulty experienced during routine hygiene and healthcare in various domains by persons with special needs attending a dental clinic compared to controls. Data were gathered from 98 patients (mean age 18 SD +/- 10.9 years) and 27 control subjects (mean age 17.3 SD +/- 10.6 years) using a 19-item questionnaire of difficulty. Seven acts showed greater difficulty in the study group: cleaning teeth (OR = 15.34; 95% CI: 3.46-70.10), washing ears (OR = 7.58; 95% CI: 1.70-33.94), dental treatment (OR = 5.54; 95% CI: 2.23-13.80), ear examination (OR = 3.80; 95% CI: 1.22- 11.86), dental examination (OR = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.27-7.42), blood tests (OR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.08-6.16) and swallowing a tablet (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 0.01-0.46). Patients treated under sedation expressed significantly greater difficulty without sedation for dental examination (OR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.21-7.65) and dental treatment (OR= 3.87; 95% CI: 1.54-9.73). Difficulty encountered in the acceptance of routine hygiene and healthcare could be used as an indicator for the need for Special Care facilities for outpatient treatment. Educational, behavioural and pharmacological procedures that can improve these situations are discussed.