Oral Health Care in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder

oral health, dental care, general anaesthesia, tooth loss

Persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are characterized by impairments in social interactions, speech and communication, restricted patterns of behaviour, and unusual sensory sensitivities. There are not many studies available reporting oral health status, dental care needs and oral health care protocol for persons with an ASD.

Despite the fact that there appears to be no known ASD specific dental and oral manifestations, there are consistent reports that persons with ASD exhibit significantly poorer oral health epidemiological profile when compared to their neurotypical counterparts. In addition to that, it has been reported that persons with ASD to substantial extent have a special health care needs and are almost twice as likely to have unmet oral health care needs as their typically developing peers regardless socioeconomic and cultural background. All these oral health related problems might arise because of ASD related challenging behaviors such as communication limitations, personal neglect, self-injurious behaviors, dietary habits, effects of medications, resistance to receiving dental care, hyposensitivity to pain, and possible avoidance of social contact. Frequently overlooked but very important reason is the lack of oral care providers who are willing to serve this population. As a results, oral health problems and unmet oral health needs transfer from childhood to adult period in persons with ASD.The broad, long-term objective of the investigator's proposed research is to describe the oral health status, oral health related behaviors, oral care delivery pattern, limitations of routine dental treatment and requirements for use general anaesthesia for oral health care of patients with ASD. Oral health status, pattern of oral health care delivery, dental treatment needs met in routine dental treatment and general anaesthesia will be analysed retrospectively on 52 participants with diagnosed ASD who were treated and monitored at the Paediatric Dentistry Department, Dental Clinic of Vojvodina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad during 5 years (2013-2018) observation period. Conditions assessed will include, dental caries, missed teeth, filled teeth (DMFT index), restorations, bruxism, delayed eruption/missing teeth, oral infection, injuries, general health status, dental treatment acceptance (Frankle scale), dental treatment attendance, routine dental treatment and general anaesthesia dental treatment assessment.

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