J Korean Acad Pediatr Dent.  2026 Feb;53(1):97-113. 10.5933/JKAPD.2026.53.1.97.

Impact of Reimbursement Expansion on Clinical Environment and Caregiver Satisfaction in Dental Care for Pediatric and Adolescent Patients with Disabilities: A Pilot Study at Yonsei University Dental Hospital

• Lee SD
• Lee KE
• Chung JE
• Lee SJ
• Kang CM
• Song JS
• Choi HJ
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2577933
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5933/JKAPD.2026.53.1.97

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate caregivers’ treatment satisfaction and clinical changes after the expansion of the additional reimbursement system for dental treatment for children with disabilities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to May 2025 among 106 caregivers of pediatric patients with registered disabilities, including intellectual disability, brain lesion-related disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder. The 30-item questionnaire covered demographics, dental history, system awareness, clinical changes, and satisfaction. Statistical analyses included the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test with Monte Carlo estimation, the binomial test, and the Poisson rate test, with the significance level set at α = 0.05. After expansion, the most common dental visit interval shifted from every 6 months to every 3 – 4 months (p < 0.0001). Caregivers reported improvements in treatment proactivity (p = 0.002) and treatment diversity (p < 0.0001), as well as overall satisfaction with dental care (p < 0.0001). This study suggests improvements in the clinical environment and satisfaction following the policy expansion. In the future, large-scale and long-term studies may help enhance the reliability of the findings and clarify their broader clinical implications.

Keyword

Children with special health care needs; Additional reimbursement system; Treatment satisfaction; Pediatric dentistry