The status and improvement course of dental treatment for the disabled in Korea

Objective: In spite of increasing dental treatment for the disabled, there was a few collected data on dental treatment status and dentists' perception in Korea. The purpose of this' study is to research the current dental treatment status for the disabled in Korea and to suggest public health policies for the disabled. Material and methods: Total of 68 dentists who have treated the disabled regularly were asked to fill questionnaires regarding dental treatments for the disabled. Results: 1. It is necessary to set up public dental center for the disabled in rural area. 2. In case of dental treatments relating to cerebral palsy, ADHD, autism, the compensation for treatment time and extra investment is needed. 3. Only 39.7% of dentists charged treatment fees to the disabled as same as normal patients. Moreover 38.2% of dentists answered that they didn't charge treatment fees at all when their patient are disabled. 4.23.5% of dentists provided all of dental treatments including dental implant and orthodontic appliances in Korea. However, 54.3% of dentists reported the improvement of access to dental implant, orthodontic and esthetic treatment is needed. 5. It is imperative for the government to improve the support system for the disabled. Conclusions: Through this research only 26.5% of dentists answered that they had received the fund from the government and 11.1% of them were satisfied with the support for the disabled in Korea. This indicated the improvement of government financial support system for the disabled is needed.

Original Article 1 - 한국 장애인의 치과의료 이용실태와 개선방향

1. 치과의사 분포가 적은 군 단위 이하 비도시 지역의 장애인 치과 접근도를 개선해야 할 필요가 있다. 2. 장애 환자의 진료시 일반인 진료 시와 다르게 보조 인력의 추가 투입의 필요성 및 만일의 사고시의 보상 제도가 마련되어야 할 것으로 생각된다. 3. 응답한 치과의사의 39.7%만이 장애인에게 일반인과 같은 수가를 적용하고 있었고, 38.2%의 치과의사는 장애인에게 전혀 비용을 받지 않고 있었다. 4. 여러 어려움에도 불구하고 대다수의 장애인을 진료하는 치과의사들은 일반인과 마찬가지로 장애환자에게 필요한 치료를 모두 제공하려고 노력하고 있는 것으로 생각된다. 그러나 임플란트, 보철 교정, 심미 치료의 접근성은 어려운 것으로 나타났다. 5. 현행의 공공 지원금 배분이 접근도가 높은 공공 병원에 집중되고 있어 실제 수행하는 진료 비중에 따른 분배 체계의 합리적인 개선이 요구되는 상황으로 보인다.