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Special Health Care Needs

72 - Initial Dental Visits Among Children With Special Health Care Needs

Friday, May 22, 2026
12:20 PM - 12:35 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Allison Bui, DMD

    Resident
    Montefiore Medical Center
    Montefiore Medical Center
    Bronx, New York, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • JD

    Janna Danbe, DMD

    Attending Pediatric Dentist, research mentor
    Montefiore Medical Center
    Bronx, New York, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • AL

    Alice Lee, DDS

    Associate Director/Assistant Professor
    Montefiore
    Bronx, New York, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the age at first dental visit and primary reasons for the initial dental visit among children with special health care needs (SHCN) compared to children without SHCN.

Methods: This retrospective chart review evaluated electronic dental records of pediatric patients who presented for a comprehensive oral evaluation (D0150) or an oral evaluation for a patient under three years of age (D0145) between July 1, 2024, and October 1, 2025 at four Montefiore Pediatric Dentistry clinics. Records were limited to evaluations completed by three designated pediatric dental residents. Patients with SHCN were identified using the dental case management code (D9997). Data extracted included age at first dental visit, reason for visit (exam vs emergency), and presence of dental caries. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and clinical characteristics. Exploratory comparisons between children with and without SHCN were performed using appropriate parametric or nonparametric tests for continuous variables and chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables, with statistical significance set at P≤.05.

Results: Final data analysis is pending.

Conclusion: This pilot study aims to characterize the timing and primary reasons for initial dental visits among children with SHCN. Findings may help identify barriers to early preventive dental care and inform strategies to promote earlier establishment of a dental home for this high-risk population.

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