A visit to the dental clinic may be challenging for a child with Downs syndrome due to medical and oral health problems as well as communication problems.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore how parents of children with Down syndrome describe their child’s needs in the dental health care setting.

Method: In a online survey concerning parental experiences with dental health care in Sweden, free comments were analysed with content analysis. By answering the survey, parents consented to participate. Ethical approval was obtained by from the Regional Ethics Committee for Human Research at Linköping University, Sweden.

Result: The analyse resulted in five categories: “Need for continuity of care in dental health care”; “Need for dental health care professionals to have knowledge and expertise in caring for children with Down syndrome and other disabilities”; “Need for dental health care professionals to use a caring approach with children with Down syndrome”; “Need for the child with Down syndrome to be prepared to participate in their dental health care visit” “Need for the child with Down syndrome to be given the same rights as typically developing children”.

Conclusion: To support children with Down syndrome in an optimal way, dental health care needs to be tailored to meet the child’s unique needs. When visiting dental health care services, children with Downs syndrome need continuity, and they need to meet professionals who have a caring approach and knowledge and experience of children with Down syndrome.