Oral health and 22q11 deletion syndrome: thoughts and experiences from the parents' perspectives.
BACKGROUND
22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is one of the most common multiple anomaly syndromes, and many dentists are likely to meet patients with the syndrome. Odontological research has focused on describing and analysing conditions/concepts based on the current state of knowledge within the dental profession. Yet, these research topics are not necessarily the most important issues for the patients.


OBJECTIVE
To explore and describe, by use of Grounded theory, parents' experiences of oral health issues and needs for dental care in their children with 22q11DS.


METHODS
Twelve parents from different regions in Sweden were interviewed. Analyses were carried out according to Grounded theory.


RESULTS
Parents recognised good oral health as important for the wellbeing of their children. Oral health was a concern and the parents described the fight for this as struggling in vain for good oral health in their child.


CONCLUSIONS
Parents not only described their children's oral health as important but also hard to gain. Thus, it is important that all patients with disabilities, regardless of whether there is a defined medical diagnosis or not, are identified and well taken care of in the dental care system.
Mun-H-Center, National Orofacial Resource Centre for Rare Disorders, and Department of Pediatric Dentistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
Gunilla
G
Klingberg
Ulrika
U
Hallberg
Sólveig
S
Oskarsdóttir
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000002:abnormalities; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004062:DiGeorge Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D013548:Sweden; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000151:congenital