405 - Dentists’ Opinions on Transitioning Care for Adolescents with Special Needs

Abstract:

Purpose: This nationwide survey aimed to assess pediatric and general dentists’ attitudes toward transitions for adolescents with special health care needs (SHCN).

Methods: A 25-item survey was distributed to members of three national dental organizations representing pediatric (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry), general (National Network for Oral Health Access), and special needs dentists (Special Care Dentistry Association). Questions addressed providers’ opinions on access to care, comfort in treating adults with SHCN, timing of transitions, strategies to improve transition, as well as demographic and practice-related information.

Results: Survey respondents included 225 pedodontists and 101 general dentists. 76% of pedodontists reported seeing patients aged ≥18 years in their practices. Most general dentists reported treating pediatric patients, and 98% reported having experience treating patients with SHCN. Both groups were comfortable providing preventive, diagnostic, and minor surgical procedures to adult SHCN patients while pedodontists reported less comfort with crowns and removable prosthodontics. Neither group felt comfortable providing implant services to this population. Both groups agreed that the optimal transition age for adolescents with SHCN is 15-21 years and emphasized independence and emotional readiness as important factors in the process. Medicaid was identified as a key facilitator for transition, while private insurance was considered less influential.

Conclusions: Pediatric and general dentists agree on the importance of transitioning dental care for adolescents with SHCN, however significant differences exist in provider comfort with various dental procedures. Both groups favored a structured transition process and shared concerns about potential barriers to its successful completion.







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