A look back: lessons in family activism and recommendations to address today's oral health challenges for children with special health care needs.

The US Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Division of Services to Children With Special Health Care Needs has developed a national agenda for the development of systems of care of children with special health care needs. The purpose of this presentation was to discuss family activism in the care of children with special health care needs, and to explore the obstacles and successes encountered between the 1970s and today regarding: (1) family centered care; (2) provision of health care services; (3) availability of information for families; and (4) financing. Recommendations are presented concerning: (1) family centered care and partnerships; (2) care and services; (3) information and data; and (4) financing.