Mothers' perceptions concerning oral health of children and adolescents with Down syndrome: a qualitative approach.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate the perceptions of a group of mothers of children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) concerning the overall health and oral health of their children.


METHODS
The information was collected interviewing in depth 19 mothers using an open-ended orientation form. To investigate the perceptions of the mothers was carried out a thematic content analysis. Two general themes were addressed: mothers' perceptions concerning the health of the child with DS and mothers' opinion on the impact of oral health on the life of the child with DS.


RESULTS
According to the interviews, for the mothers, overall health and oral health entail specificities associated mainly with the absence of illness, the performance of daily activities, and feelings of well-being. Mothers tended to hold themselves accountable for their children's health status. Within the situations these women experience, many of the interviewees reported difficulties in caring for their children's oral health.


CONCLUSIONS
Factors linked to financial constraints, time, and access to healthcare referral services hamper the search for specialised dental care for individuals with special needs.
Oliveira
A C
AC
Department of Social and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Pordeus
I A
IA
Luz
C L
CL
Paiva
S M
SM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011788:Quality of Life; D012923:Social Class