Handicapped children: behavioural and co-ordination characteristics affecting the delivery of dental care.

Statistical analysis of data from a field survey of 132 handicapped children confirmed that a questionnaire approach is reliable in identifying children with potential behavioural and co-ordination problems within a dental environment. Assessment of the behaviour and co-ordination of 2,082 handicapped children aged 3-16 years, inclusive, suggested that approximately 53 per cent were manageable in a normal dental surgery and 79 per cent had the necessary co-ordination for routine dental care.