Parental Perceptions of the Children in Need of Treatment Dental Program

Abstract

This paper discusses the collaborative partnership involving the Middlesex-London Public Health Research, Education and Development site, the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, then Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Branch, and an academic institution in the first-ever research of parental perceptions of the Children In Need Of Treatment. This paper provides an overview of the Children In Need Of Treatment program, reviews the results of the research (a mailed, self-administered survey with a systematic random sample of parents from three health units whose children received dental treatment that was paid by Children In Need Of Treatment in 2006), and its subsequent recommendations. How these recommendations affected program planning and policy are examined. In conclusion, parents were very satisfied with the treating dentist and the Children In Need Of Treatment program, and found Children In Need Of Treatment to be vital in addressing the health of their children by attending to their urgent dental needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Parental perceptions
• satisfaction
• dental care
• children
• survey
• urgent dental needs

Notes

We would like to thank Dr. James Leake, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, and the Dental Directors and Dental Managers from Northwestern Health Unit, Middlesex-London Health Unit, and Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge District Health Unit for their analytical feedback, as well as the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for funding this research.

*Respondents were able to identify more than one response.

^†Other includes: Ontario Works, Worker's Compensation, no income, and alimony.