Inclusivity in Oral Care: A Comprehensive Dental Prevention Approach to Improve Cooperation and Oral Hygiene in Children with Special Needs.

Objectives: Special care dentistry provides essential, customized oral health care for individuals with significant disabilities, addressing higher rates of dental issues and enhancing overall well-being. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of an eight-week dental prevention program on oral health outcomes and cooperation during dental treatment in children with special needs. Methods: The study targeted 97 children from Pető András Conductive Practical Primary School. A total of 16 children participated in the program, which consisted of eight weeks of education sessions focusing on oral hygiene practices and dental cooperation strategies. Dental assessments were conducted at baseline, weeks 8, 16, 52 and 104 using WHO protocols. Results: Significant improvements were observed following the 8-week preventive education program. OHI-S, DI-S, and CI-S values showed significant reductions at both week 8 and week 16 compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Patient cooperation, assessed using the Frankl scale, also improved significantly during the intervention period. Accommodation type demonstrated a significant association with OHI-S values, while diagnosis did not significantly influence the measured outcomes. Long-term follow-up demonstrated sustained improvements in oral hygiene and cooperation scores at both week 52 and week 104, indicating the potential long-term effectiveness of the preventive education program in children with special needs. Conclusions: The specific prevention program significantly improved oral health outcomes and cooperation among children with special needs.