Oral Care Experiences and Challenges in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their typically developing peers in relation to aspects of oral care. Methods: Participants included 396 parents of ASD children or typically
developing 2- to 18-year-olds. Parents completed a 37-item questionnaire designed by authors to elicit information about oral care in the home and dental office. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between diagnostic group
and oral care variables. Results: Significantly more parents of ASD children than parents of typically developing children reported difficulty across almost all oral care variables explored, including oral care in the home, oral care at the dentist, and access to oral care. Following
multivariate regression to control for possible confounders—including age, gender, Hispanic status, and paternal education level—all previously significant variables remained significant. Conclusion: This study indicates that children with autism spectrum disorders experience
greater difficulties and barriers to care in both the home and dental office settings than their typically developing peers.
Keywords: ACCESS TO CARE; AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS; DENTAL CARE FOR DISABLED; HEALTH PROMOTION; OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, USA. [email protected] 2: Division of Dentistry, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, USA; Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, USA 3: Division of Biostatistics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, all in Los Angeles, Calif., USA 4: Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, USA
Publication date: 01 September 2012
- Pediatric Dentistry is the official publication of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. It is published bi-monthly and is internationally recognized as the leading journal in the area of pediatric dentistry. The journal promotes the practice, education and research specifically related to the specialty of pediatric dentistry. This peer-reviewed journal features scientific articles, case reports and abstracts of current pediatric dental research.
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