Oral Health Disparities and Parental/Caregiver Role in Dental Care Among Children With Special Healthcare Needs and Children Without Special Healthcare Needs in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Children with special needs often face greater challenges in maintaining oral health due to physical, intellectual, or behavioral limitations.Their oral hygiene depends largely on caregivers and the accessibility of specialised dental care.This study aimed to compare the oral health status and treatment needs of special children with those of normal children in Sriganganagar district.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 children aged 3-13 years, including two groups of 150 from regular schools (Group 1) and 150 from special schools (Group 2).Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and clinical examination based on WHO Oral Health Survey guidelines (1997).Dentition status, malocclusion, dental caries, and periodontal health were assessed.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) with Chi-square and t-tests to determine significant differences (p<0.05).Results: The study revealed significant differences between groups.Mothers were primary caregivers in Group 2, while fathers or guardians predominated in Group 1; caretakers were exclusive to Group 2. Children with special healthcare needs were mainly from the middle socioeconomic class (p<0.01).Gender showed no difference (p=0.89),but age distribution differed (p=0.02).Group 2 had higher DMFT/dmfs scores, poorer oral hygiene, more gingival inflammation, and greater treatment needs (p<0.01).Mixed dentition and moderate malocclusion predominated overall.Conclusion: Children with special healthcare needs have poorer oral health than children without special healthcare needs, emphasising the need for early dental screening, caregiver education, and specialised or school-based programs to improve prevention and overall well-being.