A Global Provision of Preventive Oral Health Measures for Children With Special Needs: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND: Policymakers should consider the preventive measures provided to children with special health care needs (CSHCN) to reduce inequalities in dental treatment measures. This scoping review aimed to develop a conceptual framework regarding preventive measures and barriers to implementing them to find the gap in knowledge and the lack of a comprehensive framework of studies published in this area. METHOD: In this review, nine steps for scoping review were employed. Five electronic databases were searched: PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO Host from January 2014 to January 2024. Thematic analysis was developed with the help of data extracted from the included articles, which were divided into categories. Finally, a litmap and conceptual map were developed according to the JBI manual for evidence synthesis. RESULTS: After analyzing 129 articles that fulfilled inclusion criteria, 44 were included. Four main categories were identified, which were further divided into 19 subthemes. The four main categories were Interventional measures, perspectives of dentists and caregivers, barriers and unmet treatment needs, and Governmental policies. According to these themes, a conceptual map was developed to assess the needs of CSHCN that can help develop preventive measure policies. These policies can eventually help service providers develop proper treatment measures for these vulnerable groups. CONCLUSION: This scoping review concludes that there is a need for an assessment of treatment needs for CSHCN, which can help develop policies. By analyzing parents' and dentists' perceptions, policymakers can make a policy to support these vulnerable children's oral health care needs. This approach will eventually reduce the barrier and inequality in oral health preventive services provided to CSHCN.