University Dental Hospital, Cardiff, UK.
Br Dent J. 2012 Mar 9;212(5):E10. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.186.
To determine the provision of NHS primary dental care for children with cleft lip and/or palate in South Wales and the ease of accessing this dental care.
A postal questionnaire was sent to all cleft lip and/or palate patients under the age of 18 (n = 750) in South Wales. The questionnaire identified patients' medical history, episodes of dental emergency, distance from home to dental surgery and ease of accessing primary dental care. To increase the response rate a second questionnaire was posted to non-responders.
The response rate was 49% (368/750). The majority of patients (92%, n = 340) attended a dentist. Over 17% (n = 61) had suffered an episode of dental emergency. About 63% (n = 240) lived within 5 miles of their primary dental care provider, and 13% (n = 66) lived more than 10 miles away. Other medical problems were found in over 30% (n = 111) of the sample. Parents of 39% (n = 107) found it difficult or impossible to access a local NHS dentist.
Many children with cleft lip and/or palate find it difficult or impossible to access NHS primary dental care. Shortcomings in the services provided to this high risk group have been highlighted. Further research is needed at national levels to evaluate the extent of the shortcomings and propose methods to overcome them.
确定南威尔士为唇腭裂儿童提供的国民保健服务初级牙科护理的情况，以及获得这些牙科护理的难易程度。
向南威尔士所有 18 岁以下的唇腭裂患者（n=750）邮寄了一份问卷调查。问卷确定了患者的病史、牙科急诊发作情况、从家到牙科手术的距离以及获得初级牙科护理的难易程度。为了提高回复率，向未回复者又寄出了第二份问卷。
回复率为 49%（368/750）。大多数患者（92%，n=340）都去看了牙医。超过 17%（n=61）曾经历过牙科急诊发作。约 63%（n=240）居住在离初级牙科护理提供者 5 英里以内，13%（n=66）居住在 10 英里以外。在样本中发现其他医疗问题的比例超过 30%（n=111）。39%（n=107）的家长发现很难或不可能在当地获得国民保健服务的牙医。
许多唇腭裂儿童发现很难或不可能获得国民保健服务初级牙科护理。该高风险群体所获得的服务存在不足，已经凸显出来。需要在国家层面进行进一步研究，以评估这些不足的程度，并提出克服这些不足的方法。
