Assessing dental caries experiences and dental service delivery for children with disabilities in Auckland, New Zealand: a mixed-method study.

Introduction Despite free dental care for children under 18 in New Zealand, children with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing these services, leading to disproportionately poorer oral health outcomes. A detailed understanding of the oral health status and service delivery for children with disabilities is essential to identify existing gaps and areas for improvement. Aim The study aims to examine the oral health status of children with disabilities in Auckland, New Zealand and explore the perspectives of clinicians and service managers working in the community dental service regarding oral health care for these children. Methods An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was utilised. The initial quantitative phase involved retrospective analysis of dental records of children with disabilities who received care through the community dental service. This was followed by the qualitative phase, which consisted of semi-structured interviews with clinicians and service managers. Results The study identified high caries rates and significant unmet dental care needs among children with disabilities. Clinicians and service managers recognised individual-level challenges, such as insufficient confidence and training. Additionally, broader systemic issues, including inadequate service design and barriers in service delivery, were also highlighted, contributing significantly to oral health disparities. Discussion This study highlights the urgent need for tailored dental services for children with disabilities in Auckland. It emphasises the importance of integrated care approaches and enhanced training for dental professionals to improve accessibility and outcomes in paediatric dental health care.