Caries status, caries risk assessment and acceptance of behavior management techniques used in dental care for children with special healthcare needs in Saudi Arabia

Background: Children with special healthcare needs are at heightened risk for oral health issues, such as dental caries, due to medical, behavioral and socioeconomic challenges. This study assessed the oral health status, caries risk and parental acceptance of behavior management techniques (BMTs) for children with special healthcare needs in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 137 children with hearing, visual, or intellectual disabilities, using the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) protocol for caries risk assessment. The Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and deft(decayed, extracted, and filled teeth) index and behavior questionnaires were used to assess caries status and parental preferences for BMTs. Descriptive statistics, Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-square tests were used for data analyses. Results: The study found a high prevalence of caries among children with special healthcare needs, with the mean DMFT score significantly associated with parental education and the type of disability. Children whose parents had lower education levels had a higher caries risk. The majority of participants (71.5%) were found to be in the high risk category of caries risk assessment. The most common disease indicators being visible cavities (96.3%) and the most frequently reported caries risk factor was frequent snacking (64.2%). The most accepted BMTs by parents were Distraction (81.0%) and Positive Reinforcement (77.4%), while physical restraint methods were the least accepted. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for targeted, individualized dental care and behavior management strategies for children with special healthcare needs. Educational interventions for parents could reduce caries risk and improve dental health outcomes in this vulnerable population.