Dental treatment of children with special healthcare needs: A retrospective study of 10 years of treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) often face oral health challenges. This retrospective cross-sectional study at a university hospital aimed to determine CSHCN's medical spectrum, dental treatment needs, and mode of treatment: general anesthesia (GA) or outpatient dental care (ODC). DESIGN: Data from the Department of Conservative Dentistry, Heidelberg University Hospital, 2012-2022, were reviewed, considering age, gender, International Classification of Diseases-10 diagnoses, caries experience (dmft/DMFT), restorative parameters, and treatment under GA/ODC. For patients under GA, their American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification was considered. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression were utilized. RESULTS: Of 669 patients, congenital and chromosomal malformations (34.7%), diseases of the nervous system (19.1%), and mental and behavioral disorders (16.0%) were mainly diagnosed. Dentin caries prevalence was high at 79.1%, with treatments performed mainly under GA (51.4%). The odds of receiving treatment under GA decreased with patient age and increased with higher dmft/DMFT scores. Most under GA were classified as ASA 3 (51.7%), indicating high anesthesia risks. CONCLUSION: Children with special healthcare needs often have diseases that can lead to higher challenges related to cooperation. The high prevalence of dentin caries underscores the substantial need for dental treatments, which were consequently often performed under GA, despite the associated risks. These findings stress the need for trained dental professionals.

Family Engagement at the Systems Level: A Framework for Action.

While family engagement at the individual level of health care, such as families partnering with providers in decision-making about health care for an individual child has been well studied, family engagement in systems-level activities (e.g., participation in advisory and other decision-making groups, or creation and revision of policies) that impact the health services families and children receive has not. This note from the field presents a framework that describes the information and supports that help families partner with professionals and contribute to systems-level activities. Without attention to these components of family engagement, family presence and participation may be only token. We engaged an expert Family/Professional Workgroup whose members represented key constituencies and diverse geography, race/ethnicity, and areas of expertise; conducted a review of peer-reviewed publications and grey literature; and conducted a series of key informant interviews to identify best practices for supporting meaningful family engagement at the systems level. Based on an analysis of the findings, the authors identified four action-oriented domains of family engagement and key criteria that support and strengthen meaningful family engagement in systems-level initiatives. Child- and family-serving serving organizations can use this Family Engagement in Systems framework to support meaningful family engagement in the design of policies, practices, services, supports, quality improvement projects, research, and other systems-level activities.

Medication management strategies by family caregivers of children with special healthcare needs.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the strategies utilized by family caregivers managing medications for their children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN), those who require higher than normal care due to their multifaceted healthcare needs. Medication management strategies are a set of methods or techniques developed or adapted by caregivers to overcome medication-related barriers and ensure successful therapeutic outcomes. An in-depth understanding of such strategies is a requisite first step toward developing interventions that support caregiver-mediated medication management. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20 family caregivers of CSHCN who were recruited as part of a community engaged research between Purdue University College of Pharmacy and Indiana Family to Family. Interviews were conducted through zoom and audio recorded. Each participant was provided with a $50 honorarium. Interviews were professionally transcribed and content analyzed to generate categories of medication management strategies. RESULTS: Five overarching categories of medication management strategies were identified. These included (1) medications, supplies and equipment inventory management; (2) organizing and tracking medications, supplies and equipment; (3) medication-related communication, coordination and engagement; (4) medication administration and (5) researching and learning about medications. Within each category, caregivers developed or adapted specific strategies to overcome barriers in diverse care contexts (e.g., when interacting with healthcare systems, school staff or other members of their household). CONCLUSION: These findings can inform current clinical practice through improved awareness of different strategies employed by caregivers and lay a foundation to develop interventions designed to support caregiver mediated medication management.

Community reintegration: Children with special healthcare needs in rural areas.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to gather descriptions from caregivers and providers of children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) about their experiences with community reintegration. This study focused on three community support areas: the healthcare structure, community of support, and school systems. The research question was, "How do caregivers and providers of CSHCN describe reintegration into community-based systems?" METHOD: This descriptive qualitative study used focus group design to interview caregivers and providers about their experiences. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis with open coding, clustering into categories, and abstracting into themes. RESULTS: Eight themes were found within three categories. 1. Planning life and caregiving while fighting for everything needed, 2. Deciding to seek help while living with stigma, shame, and fear, 3. Coping with caregiving while feeling isolated, stressed, and overwhelmed, 4. Arranging transportation while living far away, 5. Underwhelming support in community and school systems, 6. Managing finances and covering expenses, 7. Improving communication of complex needs, and 8. Building a community, increasing confidence, and providing hope. CONCLUSION: Community reintegration was described by caregivers and providers as balancing responsibilities, securing resources, and facilitating collaboration, which offer guidance for future care. IMPLICATIONS: Engaging in open dialogue structured by the themes can help nurses understand the unique needs of caregivers of CSHCN. Social policy reform focused on access to care, financial resources, and school support may reduce inequities, and additional research focused on community-based systems, coping, and caregiving may identify needs based on sociodemographics and existing resources.

Parents voice their experiences of caring for children with special healthcare needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of parents and caregivers of children with special healthcare needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this descriptive phenomenological study, the researchers used purposive and snowball sampling to recruit nineteen participants, ranging in age from 21 to 55 years of age until saturation was established. Colaizzi's method guided data analysis. Iterative examination of the interview transcripts, an audit trail, bracketing, and validation of findings with a subset of participants established trustworthiness. RESULTS: Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic was the overarching theme. Four major themes emerged under Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic as follows: Disruptions in Daily Life, Shifts in Daily Life, Innovations in Daily Life, and Surprising Silver Linings. CONCLUSION: This study elucidated an in-depth understanding of the positive and negative impacts of the pandemic on the lives of families living with a child with special needs. The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected families and parenting approaches. Parents of children with special healthcare needs in this study found day-to-day living especially difficult in similar and unique ways. For virtually all parents the pandemic added new challenges in meeting their child's physical, mental, social, and educational needs. Parents and caregivers revealed innovative ways of maintaining a sense of normalcy during the height of the pandemic. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These findings demonstrate the importance of developing interventions and creating public health policies as we move beyond the current pandemic and plan for potential outbreaks in the future.

Caregiver Health Beliefs Associated with Use of Pediatric Therapy Services Among Children with Special Health Care Needs.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Explore the relationship between various sociodemographic factors and caregiver health beliefs (CHBs), and (2) examine whether these relationships were associated with the use of pediatric therapy services. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis using the 2011 Survey of Pathways Diagnosis and Services dataset. 4,032 children ages 6-17 years had complete data on caregiver health beliefs and pediatric therapy use. Select CHBs reflected whether caregivers believe (1) problems related to their child's condition can be prevented or decreased with treatment, (2) they have the power to change their child's condition, and (3) their child's condition is a mystery. Pediatric therapy included physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. We performed multivariate logistic regression to test the associations between CHBs and select child and family characteristics (Aim 1) and use of pediatric therapy services (Aim 2). RESULTS: Caregivers with lower educational attainment were more likely to believe their child's condition was a mystery and less likely to believe they had the power to change their child's condition. Use of pediatric therapy services tended to be lower among children whose caregivers believed they had the power to change their child's condition and higher among children whose caregivers believed their child's condition was a mystery. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our findings add to existing research that suggests CHBs differ across groups of caregivers. This, combined with the recognition that CHBs also likely differ from providers, underscores the importance of eliciting caregiver beliefs, values, and priorities to help ensure the provision of truly family-centered care. SIGNIFICANCE: Pediatric therapy services support and optimize child development. Significant service use disparities exist, however, with children representing various marginalized groups being less likely to use pediatric therapy services. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying such disparities. We sought to explore the relationship between family sociodemographic factors, caregiver health beliefs, and pediatric therapy use. Our findings suggest that caregivers with fewer socioeconomic resources expressed beliefs that are consistent with limited knowledge and agency regarding their child's condition. Thus, providers must work to engage families in conversations about their child's development, elicit their knowledge and beliefs, and identify social or financial barriers to care.

Impact of Shared Plans of Care on Healthcare Utilization by Children with Special Healthcare Needs and Mental Health Diagnoses.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed how shared plans of care (SPoC), a care coordination tool, impact healthcare utilization of a cohort of children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) and mental health conditions. METHODS: Data, including emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and primary care visits, were collected through chart review of CSHCN. A Poisson generalized linear mixed model was used to analyze healthcare utilization data for CSHCN. RESULTS: Our results showed a decrease in primary care visits, hospitalizations, and ED visits for CSHCN after SPoC implementation, though only primary care visits reached significance. Mental health care visits were specifically found to decrease by 39% following employment of SPoC. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: The use of SPoCs in CSHCN had a positive impact on healthcare utilization suggesting widespread use of this tool improved care coordination in this population.

Care Coordination for Children with Special Healthcare Needs Anticipating Transition: A Program Evaluation.

PURPOSE: Nearly 20% of U.S. children have special healthcare needs (CSHCN). Difficulties experienced with navigating the array of services for these children has highlighted the value of care coordination to improve care, reduce costs and increase satisfaction. This study evaluated the services delivered within a care coordination program at a transition consultation center for CSHCN. It also compared the advancement of youth by age group toward graduation criteria. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a program evaluation method, data were collected via a retrospective chart review. The convenience sample included clinical records from 100 patients aged 11-22 who had a chronic disease or disability. RESULTS: The comparison of services for those with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome were uniformly high in supporting primary care and health care financing. Medicaid waiver assistance was provided more frequently to younger adolescents while older adolescents more commonly received support in all other graduation criteria, including primary and specialty care, healthcare financing and decision-making supports. CONCLUSIONS: Youth served in a transition care coordination program receive a high volume and broad array of services. There are some variations in the types of services by diagnosis and level of support need. Older youth show greater advancement toward graduation criteria. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This in-depth chart review provides a valuable description of the activities of care coordinators serving CSHCN enduring transition. It enables development of targeted strategies for building care coordination programming and sets an example for the design of future research studies on this topic.

The process by which mothers of children with special healthcare needs evolve their connections with the community.

Mothers of children with special healthcare needs often face many extra difficulties, such as being isolated in the community. This study, conducted in the San'in region of Japan between December 2017 and February 2019, aimed to clarify how the mothers established and adapted their connections within their communities through a qualitative descriptive design study. Participants were 12 mothers caring for children with special healthcare needs. Verbatim data on adapting to life after hospital discharge was collected through interviews and analyzed by the modified grounded theory approach. The data generated 14 concepts, which were grouped into four categories, as follows: Difficulties in life that arise from caring for children in social isolation; gaining an objective view of the current situation and future of caring for children with special healthcare needs; collaboration based on the understanding of relationships with others; and feeling fulfilled in life. These describe four phases that the mothers went through which are similar to each stage of the transition theory. Providing support via a collaborative partnership may be effective for mothers experiencing anxiety during the transition stages.

Gaps and Factors Related to Receipt of Care within a Medical Home for Toddlers Born Preterm.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize gaps and factors related to receipt of care within a medical home for toddlers born preterm. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were 202 caregivers of children born at <35 weeks of gestation. At 10-16 months of corrected age, caregivers completed the National Survey of Children's Health (2011/2012) medical home module and a sociodemographic profile. Care within a medical home comprised having a personal doctor/nurse, a usual place for care, effective care coordination, family-centered care, and getting referrals when needed. Gestational age and neonatal follow-up clinic attendance were abstracted from the medical record. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition assessed developmental status. Log-binomial regression examined factors related to receiving care within a medical home. RESULTS: Fifty-three percent (n = 107) of the children received care within a medical home. Low socioeconomic status (young caregiver: risk ratio [RR] = 0.73; 95% CI 0.55, 0.97; low education: RR= 0.69; 95% CI 0.49, 0.98) and delayed language (RR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.42, 0.95) were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving care within a medical home. Degree of prematurity and neonatal clinic follow-up participation were unrelated to receipt of care within a medical home. CONCLUSIONS: Receipt of care within a medical home was lacking for nearly one-half of preterm toddlers, especially those with lower socioeconomic status and poorer developmental status. Discharge from a neonatal intensive care unit may be an optimal time to facilitate access to a primary care medical home and establish continuity of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01576783.

Disparities in Access to Healthcare Transition Services for Adolescents with Down Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare healthcare transition planning in adolescents with Down syndrome with adolescents with other special healthcare needs. STUDY DESIGN: Data were drawn from the 2009-2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, a nationally representative sample with 17 114 adolescents aged 12-17 years. Parents were asked whether providers and the study child had discussed shifting to an adult provider, changing healthcare needs, maintaining health insurance coverage, and taking responsibility for self-care. The transition core outcome was a composite measure based on the results of these 4 questions. Multivariable logistic regression determined the association between Down syndrome and the transition core outcome as well as each of the 4 individual component measures. RESULTS: Although 40% of adolescents with other special healthcare needs met the transition core outcome, 11.0% of adolescents with Down syndrome met this outcome. Adolescents with Down syndrome were less likely to be encouraged to take responsibility for their health (32.2% vs 78.4%). After adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors, adolescents with Down syndrome had 4 times the odds of not meeting the transition core outcome. For the component measures, Down syndrome adolescents had 4 times the odds of not being encouraged to take responsibility for self-care. Medical home access increased the odds of transition preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with Down syndrome experience disparities in access to transition services. Provider goals for adolescents with Down syndrome should encourage as much independence as possible in their personal care and social lives.

Prevalence of Brain Injuries among Children with Special Healthcare Needs.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate differences in brain injury prevalence among US children by special healthcare needs status, accounting for sociodemographic and family characteristics, and to examine correlated health conditions among children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted cross-sectional analyses using parent/caregiver responses to the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (n = 50 212 children). CSHCN status was based on responses to a 5-item tool designed to identify children through assessment of functional limitations, prescription medication use, elevated service use or need, use of specialized therapies, and ongoing emotional, developmental, or behavioral conditions. Brain injury history was reported by parents/caregivers based on healthcare provider diagnosis. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Lifetime history of brain injury was significantly higher among CSHCN than non-CSHCN (6.7% vs 2.3%, P < .001). CSHCN make up 19% of the total US child population but comprise 42% of children with lifetime brain injuries. In addition, the prevalence of a number of comorbid conditions and functional limitations was significantly higher among CSHCN with lifetime brain injury vs those without brain injury. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of lifetime history of brain injury is nearly 3 times greater among CSHCN than among non-CSHCN. Several comorbid conditions among CSHCN are significantly associated with lifetime history of brain injury. Further studies are needed to examine the extent to which brain injury in CSHCN may exacerbate or be misdiagnosed as other comorbid conditions.

Impact of the 340B Pharmacy Program on Services and Supports for Persons Served by Hemophilia Treatment Centers in the United States.

Purpose Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) provide integrated and comprehensive services to individuals affected with rare bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. Through the 340 Drug Pricing Program, HTCs may use pharmacy income to support clinical staff and patient services. The objective of this study was to describe the impact of the 340B program funding on services and support provided by HTCs to persons affected by rare bleeding disorders. Description Federally designated comprehensive HTCs with established 340B programs were invited to participate in a mailed survey in 2014. Participants were requested to report on 340B program-funded staff and services in the calendar year 2013. Assessment The 31 of 37 HTCs responding served over 10,000 individuals, or one-third of the national HTC patient population. The majority of responding HTCs reported that 340B program income supported over 90% of staff such as nurses, social workers, and physical therapists. Conclusion The results from this survey of 31 centers with established programs demonstrates the HTCs' reliance on 340B program support for vital comprehensive services, that are otherwise non-reimbursable, and highlights the importance of the 340B program in sustaining the high quality of care and in increasing access for a geographically dispersed, medically vulnerable population.

Care Coordination with Schools: The Role of Family-Centered Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Objectives Family-centered care has been associated with positive outcomes for children with special health care needs. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship of family-centered care as associated with care coordination with schools and school absences (e.g., missed days) as reported by parents of children with special health care needs. Methods The current study utilized data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs 2009-201 (N = 40,242) to achieve this purpose. The National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs may be considered a nationally-representative and community-based sample of parent responses for children with special health care needs across the United States. Results Results from the current study indicate that family-centered care is associated with fewer absences and improved care coordination with schools when applicable. The variables of functional difficulties, poverty level, and the number of conditions were statistically controlled. Conclusions We suggest that the positive influence of family-centered care when practiced extends beyond the family and interacts with educational outcomes. We also suggest that the role of schools appears to be under-studied given the role that schools can play in family-centered care.

Evaluation of a Cross Cultural Curriculum: Changing Knowledge, Attitudes and Skills in Pediatric Residents.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of six online modules, the Cross Cultural Case Stories, designed to teach healthcare professionals and trainees to provide culturally competent care to children with chronic respiratory conditions and their families. Modules increase provider awareness of the types of factors that may vary between cultures. This study assessed learner change in the three domains of knowledge, attitudes and self-reported skills. Improving on earlier studies, this evaluation included a control group for comparison. Methods Subjects comprised 66 first and second year pediatric residents at the University of Florida. Each module includes Objectives, Key Word definitions, Case Story, Lecture, Interactive Exercises and References. Intervention subjects completed an assessment tool before and after training. Control subjects completed the spaced assessments without completing the modules in-between. Results Within the intervention group there was a significant effect associated with the intervention. On average, participants within this group improved 1.67 points on the knowledge assessment (p < .01), 13.64 points on the attitudes self-assessment (p = .01) and 6.86 points on the skills assessment (p ≤ 0.01). When comparing between the intervention and control group significant differences were found in the post knowledge, post skills and post attitudes assessment, with the intervention group exceeding scores from the control group. Conclusions The Cross Cultural Cases provide an accessible, comprehensive and effective means for teaching healthcare and public health professionals and trainees. These cases can potentially provide training for students and practicing professionals from multiple medical and public health related disciplines.

Preventive and invasive treatment in special needs patients: a German retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Data on dental treatment of children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) are sparse. Hence, this study provides information about the changes in the dental condition in a cohort of CSHCN treated in a university dental department in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient records of CSHCN treated from January 2004 to December 2012 were screened retrospectively for medical diagnoses (ICD-10) and the type of treatment performed with outpatient dental care (ODC) or general anesthesia (GA). Follow-up data of patients adhering to the recommended recall were recorded, including time and further treatments. RESULTS: A total of 795 CSHCN with a mean age of 6.8 years were included. In 41.6 % (331/795) of cases, treatment was performed under ODC, and 58.4 % (464/795) received GA. Caries experience in CSHCN treated under GA was significantly higher (7.9 d3/4mft/0.9 D3/4MFT) than in ODC (2.5 d3/4mft /0.9 D3/4MFT). Over time, patient flow shifted from invasive (IC) to preventive-based care (PC). CONCLUSION: Caries-related treatments were most frequent under GA and ODC, though initial caries experience was higher in GA patients. The choice of GA or ODC was statistically independent from the medical condition. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides characteristics of a large population of CSHCN treated with and without GA for dental care.

Challenges Facing Children with Special Healthcare Needs and Their Families: Telemedicine as a Bridge to Care.

Telemedicine is an increasingly utilized mode of healthcare delivery, which improves access to care for vulnerable populations. Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CSHCN) and their families face significant challenges, such as geographic, financial, and sociocultural barriers, in accessing needed healthcare services. The literature supports telemedicine as an effective accepted bridge between CSHCN and their providers. A growing body of telemedicine projects also suggests cost-effectiveness when considering the direct and indirect costs the families of CSCHN incur in seeking healthcare services. These new systems of care should prioritize caring and family centeredness while reducing the burdens of CSHCN and their families.

Reported Wandering Behavior among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize wandering, or elopement, among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability. STUDY DESIGN: Questions on wandering in the previous year were asked of parents of children with ASD with and without intellectual disability and children with intellectual disability without ASD as part of the 2011 Survey of Pathways to Diagnosis and Services. The Pathways study sample was drawn from the much larger National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs conducted in 2009-2010. RESULTS: For children with special healthcare needs diagnosed with either ASD, intellectual disability, or both, wandering or becoming lost during the previous year was reported for more than 1 in 4 children. Wandering was highest among children with ASD with intellectual disability (37.7%) followed by children with ASD without intellectual disability (32.7%), and then children with intellectual disability without ASD (23.7%), though the differences between these groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study affirms that wandering among children with ASD, regardless of intellectual disability status, is relatively common. However, wandering or becoming lost in the past year was also reported for many children with intellectual disability, indicating the need to broaden our understanding of this safety issue to other developmental disabilities.

Effectiveness and Safety of Acute Care Telemedicine for Children with Regular and Special Healthcare Needs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the hypothesis that effectiveness and safety of the Health-e-Access telemedicine model for care of children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) with acute illness equaled those for care of children in regular childcare and schools (CRS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined healthcare use through insurance claims and telemedicine records spanning 5.7 and 7.3 years for CSHCN and CRS, respectively. Effectiveness was measured as telemedicine visit completion, duplication, and adverse events. Completed visits had diagnosis and management decisions made, and treatment implemented, based solely on telemedicine. Duplicating visits addressed related problems in-person following telemedicine visits within 1 or 3 days. An adverse event was defined as an emergency department visit following a telemedicine visit within 3 days for a problem probably related. RESULTS: Comparisons addressing these measures included 483 and 10,008 telemedicine visits by CSHCN and CRS, respectively. Claims files captured health services use for varying periods of time among 300 different CSHCN and among 1,950 different CRS. Among the 483 telemedicine visits initiated for CSHCN over their telemedicine observation period, 9 were not completed. The CSHCN completion rate of 98.1% equaled the 97.6% completion observed among CRS. Within 3 days, in-person visits duplicated 16.1% of telemedicine visits for both CSHCN and CRS. Within 1 day, in-person visits duplicated 5.3% and 8.9% of telemedicine visits for CSHCN and CRS, respectively. Adverse events following telemedicine visits included 0.3% of telemedicine visits for CSHCN and 0.5% for CRS. CONCLUSIONS: Observations support safety and effectiveness of Health-e-Access telemedicine for both CSHCN and CRS.

Association of general anxiety and pediatric dental preventive examination utilization, National Survey of Children's Health, 2021.

INTRODUCTION: Many factors influence preventive dental health service access for children. The objective of this research was to examine one factor, general anxiety, in accessing at least one preventive dental examination in the past 12 months in children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) and children without special healthcare needs (CWSHCN). METHODS: National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2021 were obtained for this cross-sectional research. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to determine association of anxiety and past 12-month preventive dental examinations. RESULTS: The sample included 10 493 CSHCN, and 35 675 CWSHCN. Overall, 72.7% had past 12-month preventive dental examinations, and 9.9% had a healthcare provider indicate they had general anxiety. CSHCN with anxiety, CWSHCN with anxiety, and CSHCN without anxiety were more likely to have a past 12-month preventive dental examination visit than CWSHCN without anxiety (Adjusted Odds Ratios: 1.86, 1.39, 1.32, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest children with general anxiety (both CSHCN and CWSHCN) are more likely to have had at least one regular preventive dental visit within the past 12 months than CWSHCN and without general anxiety. There is a need for further understanding the relationship of general anxiety and dental health to improve the health of all children. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: CWSHCN without anxiety need individualized, comprehensive care with enough time, attention, instruction, and rewards to demonstrate to parents/guardians the importance of making routine preventive dental examinations a priority for their child.