Factors Associated With Oral and Dental Health Utilization Among Individuals With Special Health Care Needs in Iran: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Zahra Zare, Foad Iranmanesh, Mohammad Amin Bahrami, Fatemeh Shirazi, Zahra KavosiABSTRACT
Background and Aim
Individuals with special health care needs (SHCN) often encounter significant challenges in accessing oral and dental health services (ODHS), a problem that is even more pronounced in developing countries. This study aimed to identify the factors associated ODHS utilization among individuals with SHCN in Iran.
Methods
This cross‐sectional study included 380 participants with SHCN, aged ≥ 5 years, residing in various districts of Shiraz in 2024. Data were collected through convenience sampling in rehabilitation centers, special education schools, and disability foundations. A researcher‐developed questionnaire was used for data collection based on existing surveys on oral health service utilization. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages), along with univariate and multivariate logistic regression using SPSS software.
Results
Oral health problems were highly prevalent among the participants: 90% reported a history of toothache, and 72.4% had undergone at least one tooth extraction due to dental caries or abscess. Furthermore, 57.1% reported brushing their teeth before bedtime. Nearly one‐quarter of the participants (24.7%) had the highest level of dental care needs, while 67.1% reported unmet dental care needs, with treatment cost identified as the most commonly reported barrier (52.4%). Overall, only 33.7% had utilized oral and dental health services during the previous year. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that place of residence, father's employment status, and maternal income were significant predictors of oral and dental health service utilization.
Conclusion
ODHS utilization among individuals with SHCN was low, and unmet dental care needs were common. Financial barriers, particularly treatment costs, were frequently reported, and several socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with service utilization. These findings highlight the need for policies and planning aimed at reducing barriers to dental care access in this population.