Oral Hygiene Status in Children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Developmental Disabilities
• Public Health

Background:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience significant challenges in maintaining oral hygiene.
• Sensory sensitivities, behavioral issues, and limited access to specialized dental care contribute to poor oral health in ASD.
• Existing research indicates a gap in understanding the specific oral hygiene status and needs of children with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the oral hygiene status and caries prevalence in children with ASD versus neurotypical children.
• To identify differences in oral hygiene practices, such as tooth brushing frequency and dental visit attendance.
• To evaluate the utilization of preventive dental treatments among children with ASD.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 74 children with ASD and 74 neurotypical controls.
• Oral hygiene assessment using the Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI).
• Caries prevalence measured by DMFT/dmft indices; tooth brushing frequency and dental visits were also recorded.

Main Results:

• Children with ASD exhibited significantly poorer oral hygiene and higher caries prevalence (DMFT/dmft scores) than controls.
• Boys with ASD showed higher DMFT scores, indicating increased caries experience.
• ASD children reported less frequent tooth brushing and fewer dental visits, with underutilization of preventive care.

Conclusions:

• Children with ASD face substantial oral health disparities, including inadequate hygiene and elevated caries rates.
• There is a critical need for developing and implementing tailored oral health interventions and specialized dental care strategies for children with ASD.
• Enhanced parental education and accessible, specialized dental services are essential to improve oral health outcomes in this population.