Challenges in oral health care for children with disabilities from the perspective of their caregivers

Aim: This study evaluated the characteristics of caregivers of children with disabilities (CWD) and investigated, from their perspective, the main challenges in oral health care. Methods: Twenty-six caregivers attended by the Piracicaba Rehabilitation Center participated in the study and answered questionnaires about sociodemographic data, self-assessment of oral health and possible barriers to dental care, in addition to open interviews analyzed through the Discourse of the Collective Subject (DCS). Results: A correlation was found between self-perception of oral health and the caregivers’ education level (r=0.54; p<0.05), and an inverse correlation was found between the number of residents in the household and the perception of oral health of the CWD (r=-0.37; p< 0.05). The main challenges reported were high cost of treatment, difficulty in accessing trained professionals and lack of cooperation from the child. Conclusions: Coping strategies were mentioned, highlighting the importance of listening to caregivers, strengthening their role and training professionals to provide dental care to this population.