# What Do the Parents of Children With Disabilities Look for in a Dedicated Orthodontic Clinic: A Grounded‐Theory Study

## TL;DR

This study explores what parents of children with disabilities look for in an orthodontic clinic, aiming to improve care quality and patient experience.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific factors that parents prioritize when seeking orthodontic care for children with disabilities.

## Key findings

- Parents prioritize a welcoming environment and accessibility in orthodontic clinics.
- Empathetic and communicative staff are highly valued by families.
- Modern equipment and quality treatment outcomes are essential for patient satisfaction.

## Abstract

The present qualitative study aims to explore the needs of families with children with disabilities, regarding their orthodontic care in a dedicated university orthodontic clinic.

Thirteen parents of children with disabilities, followed in a University orthodontic clinic dedicated to individuals with disabilities, were selected to participate in the present study. A grounded‐theory approach was used to conduct informal in‐depth interviews, which were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcriptions were analyzed to develop a theoretical proposition grounded in real‐world observations.

A core category was identified, namely the aspiration of parents of children with disabilites to afford a positive experience for their child. In association with the core category, six other categories emerged: location, accessibility, and a welcoming environment; convenience and availability; an empathetic team; good communication; appropriate and modern equipment; and quality of treatment outcome.

The families of children with disabilities seek personalized and high‐quality orthodontic care in a favorable environment with a welcoming, empathetic, and communicative team. Gaining a clearer understanding of what families value in clinics and teams that provide orthodontic care for children with disabilties can help inform meaningful and positive improvements to these dedicated services.