This paper classified the articles of special needs dentistry(SND) published in Korean medical database according to thematic distribution and chronological change to assess recent academic trends and indicate the direction of study in the future. We selected articles in 17 dental journals registered with the Korea Research Foundation This study found that the total number of articles of SND was 292 in 17 journals from 1973 to 2012. The biggest number of articles of SND was published in the journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which means pediatric dentists contribute to dental treatment of people who need special care. According to growing number of people with disabilities, the number of articles related in SND has been increased since 2000. Also, the aged and children as well as people with disabilities fit into the category of SND and the scope of SND has been enlarged. So dentists should concern and study more about SND in the future.