Barriers to Oral Health Care Among Children With Cerebral Palsy-A Systematic Review

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience multiple barriers to oral health care. This systematic review aims to recognize and compile the barriers to accessing and utilizing oral health care services in this population.

This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250651977) and conducted adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy was developed using MeSH terms search was conducted across various databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library). Studies were selected based on pre-defined inclusion criteria and further assessment using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) 2018.

The initial search retrieved 1441 studies and a final set of 8 studies were included, involving either parents or caregivers of children with CP, originating from 5 countries. All included studies were methodologically sound (MMAT score ≥4). The primary barriers identified were physical and behavioral challenges, transportation and distance-related issues, financial constraints, caregivers' attitude toward dental care, accessibility limitations, and service provider-related barriers.

Children with CP face multifaceted challenges in accessing oral health services. Addressing these requires caregiver education, infrastructural improvements, and service provider training to deliver inclusive, accessible, and preventive dental care.