Review aRticleIn India, the Census of 2011 recorded that 7.62% of the nation's disabled population comprises children, amounting to over 2 million individuals. 4Significant regional disparities exist, with states such as Bihar and Meghalaya reporting higher proportions of disabled children, highlighting inequalities in healthcare access, including dental services.Children with developmental disabilities often present complex health profiles, with a high prevalence of oral diseases such as dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. 5imitations in self-care, stemming from motor and cognitive impairments, make caregiver support essential.However, socioeconomic barriers, a shortage of trained dental professionals, IntroductIonDisparities in healthcare access and outcomes for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities remain a pressing global issue.Despite growing awareness, children with developmental disabilities continue to experience systemic neglect predominantly in the domain of oral health.Developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, cognitive developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome pose substantial barriers in seeking, accessing, and receiving quality dental care.According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF ( 2019), approximately 317 million children and adolescents globally are affected by developmental disabilities, facing multiple disadvantages including stigma, exclusion, and limited access to quality healthcare services-oral health being a significant yet often overlooked component. 1Global burden of disease (GBD) (2019) corroborates these findings, estimating the prevalence of developmental disabilities at 7.5% among children under 5 years and 13.9% among adolescents aged 15-19 years, with higher prevalence among males. 2Common conditions include hearing loss, intellectual disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, and vision impairment.Moreover, UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) reports that one in ten children globally experiences moderate to severe functional limitations impacting daily activities.
Saxena et al. (Mon,) studied this question.