Counting the number of children with disabilities.
Reporting that there are millions of children (and adults) with disabilities reduces these individuals to just numbers-not actual people. The use of mega numbers and national averages obscures the major disparities that exist in the proportion of children with special needs in different areas of the country. In an effort to personalize these national numbers and bring about increased attention to the 2.6 million children (5-15 years of age) with disabilities, a review of the proportion of noninstitutionalized children with disabilities is reported by a series of geopolitical jurisdictions. The profession is challenged to increase care to children with disabilities--children who may be members of families being treated in many dental practices.
Waldman
H Barry
HB
Department of General Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, SUNY at Stony Brook, NY, USA. hwaldman@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Perlman
Steven P
SP
D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019352:Censuses; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008119:Lobbying; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data