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A Pilot Study to Explore Caregiver’s Perception of University Dental Clinic For Patients With Special Health Care Needs

Lee, Gi Ppeum (2020) A Pilot Study to Explore Caregiver’s Perception of University Dental Clinic For Patients With Special Health Care Needs. Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.

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Abstract

While the individuals with disabilities or special health care needs (SHCNs) have been growing in number, they have continued to experience limited access to dental care services due to various reasons such as finance, transportation, accessibility, and availability of providers. In Western Pennsylvania, the Center for Patients with Special Needs (CPSN) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine (SDM) has been at the forefront to address such unmet dental needs. In order to assess satisfaction level and explore the journey of finding a dental home for individuals with SHCNs in the perspective of caregivers, a pilot study was conducted at the CPSN. Written surveys were distributed and collected from 21 caregivers. Responses were analyzed on nominal basis. The results showed that the major challenge to receiving care was availability or scheduling (35%), while the main reason for choosing the CSPN for dental care was general anesthesia (43%). The majority of the patients have been referred from hospitals, commonly because they outgrew the age requirement for Children’s Hospital. The participants rated their satisfaction level high with the lowest score in location. indicated that the CPSN is able to facilitate the transition of patients with SHCNs from pediatric to adult oral health care. The overall sentiments expressed by the participants were positive and grateful for the care they would not be able to receive elsewhere. The project produced outcome of public health significance by delineating the challenges that the patients and their caregivers face while finding a dental home and by highlighting the limited provision of oral health care for one of the most underserved populations.

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Details

Item Type: Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper (Master Essay)
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Lee, Gi Ppeumleg58@pitt.eduleg58
Contributors:
ContributionContributors NameEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairFinegold, Daviddnf@pitt.eduUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Committee MemberRubin, Richard W.rrubin@pitt.eduUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Date: 7 April 2020
Date Type: Submission
Number of Pages: 36
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Multidisciplinary MPH
Degree: MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type: Master Essay
Refereed: Yes
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2020 01:55
Last Modified: 29 Aug 2020 01:55
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/38521

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