The status and improvement course of dental treatment for the disabled in Korea

Shim,  Su-Hyun; Lee,  Won; Choi,  Bohm

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 48(4); 2010 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2010;48(4):280-287.
Published online April 30, 2010.

Original Article 1 - 한국 장애인의 치과의료 이용실태와 개선방향

심수현¹, 이원², 최봄³

^¹가톨릭대학교 임상치과대학원 보철과
^²가톨릭대학교 의정부성모병원
^³가톨릭대학교 의정부성모병원

The status and improvement course of dental treatment for the disabled in Korea

Su-Hyun Shim¹, Won Lee², Bohm Choi³

¹Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Korea
²Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Korea
³Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Korea

Abstract

Objective
In spite of increasing dental treatment for the disabled, there was a few collected data on dental treatment status and dentists' perception in Korea. The purpose of this' study is to research the current dental treatment status for the disabled in Korea and to suggest public health policies for the disabled. Material and methods: Total of 68 dentists who have treated the disabled regularly were asked to fill questionnaires regarding dental treatments for the disabled. Results: 1. It is necessary to set up public dental center for the disabled in rural area. 2. In case of dental treatments relating to cerebral palsy, ADHD, autism, the compensation for treatment time and extra investment is needed. 3. Only 39.7% of dentists charged treatment fees to the disabled as same as normal patients. Moreover 38.2% of dentists answered that they didn't charge treatment fees at all when their patient are disabled. 4.23.5% of dentists provided all of dental treatments including dental implant and orthodontic appliances in Korea. However, 54.3% of dentists reported the improvement of access to dental implant, orthodontic and esthetic treatment is needed. 5. It is imperative for the government to improve the support system for the disabled. Conclusions: Through this research only 26.5% of dentists answered that they had received the fund from the government and 11.1% of them were satisfied with the support for the disabled in Korea. This indicated the improvement of government financial support system for the disabled is needed.

Key Words: dental treatment status;disabled;