Delli K, Reichart PA, Bornstein MM, Livas C. Management of children with autism spectrum disorder in the dental setting: concerns, behavioural approaches and recommendations. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2013; 18:e862-8 https://doi.org/10.4317/medoral.19084
Barbaresi WJ, Katusic SK, Voigt RG. Autism: a review of the state of the science for pediatric primary health care clinicians. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006; 160:1167-1175 https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.160.11.1167
Stein LI, Polido JC, Mailloux Z Oral care and sensory sensitivities in children with autism spectrum disorders. Spec Care Dentist. 2011; 31:102-110 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1754-4505.2011.00187.x
Kopycka-Kedzierawski DT, Auinger P. Dental needs and status of autistic children: results from the National Survey of Children's Health. Pediatr Dent. 2008; 30:54-58
Kim G, Carrico C, Ivey C, Wunsch PB. Impact of sensory adapted dental environment on children with developmental disabilities. Spec Care Dentist. 2019; 39:180-187 https://doi.org/10.1111/scd.12360
Axelsson P, Nyström B, Lindhe J. The long-term effect of a plaque control program on tooth mortality, caries and periodontal disease in adults. Results after 30 years of maintenance. J Clin Periodontol. 2004; 31:749-757 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2004.00563.x
Du RY, Yiu CKY, King NM. Oral health behaviours of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders and their barriers to dental care. J Autism Dev Disord. 2019; 49:453-459 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3708-5
Boudjarane MA, Grandgeorge M, Marianowski R Perception of odors and tastes in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review of assessments. Autism Res. 2017; 10:1045-1057 https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1760
Kalf-Scholte SM, Van der Weijden GA, Bakker E, Slot DE. Plaque removal with triple-headed vs single-headed manual toothbrushes-a systematic review. Int J Dent Hyg. 2018; 16:13-23 https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12283
Teste M, Broutin A, Marty M Toothbrushing in children with autism spectrum disorders: qualitative analysis of parental difficulties and solutions in France. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2021; 22:1049-1056 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-021-00640-3
Kientz MA, Dunn W. A comparison of the performance of children with and without autism on the Sensory Profile. Am J Occup Ther. 1997; 51:530-537 https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.51.7.530
Le Couteur A, Rutter M, Lord C Autism diagnostic interview: a standardized investigator-based instrument. J Autism Dev Disord. 1989; 19:363-387 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02212936
Greenspan S, Weider S. Developmental patterns and outcomes in infants and children with disorders in relating and communicating. A chart review of 200 cases of children with autistic spectrum diagnoses. J Dev Learn Disord. 1997; 1:87-141
Achtypi A, Guldberg KK, Papoudi D. Using iPads for the social communication and emotional regulation of autistic pupils: an exploration of key stakeholders' perspectives and practices. Br J Spec Educ. 2024; 1:2-20
Zentall SS, Zentall TR. Optimal stimulation: a model of disordered activity and performance in normal and deviant children. Psychol Bull. 1983; 94:446-471
Luiselli JK, Ricciardi JN, Tarr M, Schmidt S. Brief functional analysis and intervention evaluation for treatment of saliva-play. Child Family Behav Ther. 2004; 26:53-61
Gray C. The New Social Story Book.Arlington, TX, USA: Future Horizons; 2000
Delano M, Snell ME. The effects of social stories on the social engagement of children with autism. J Posit Behav Intervent. 2006; 8:29-42
Cermak SA, Stein Duker LI, Williams ME Sensory adapted dental environments to enhance oral care for children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled pilot study. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015; 45:2876-2888 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2450-5
Mah JW, Tsang P. Visual schedule system in dental care for patients with autism: a pilot study. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2016; 40:393-399 https://doi.org/10.17796/1053-4628-40.5.393
Stein Duker, LI. Adapting oral care protocols to support children with sensory sensitivities: occupational therapy and dentistry. In: Nelson T, Webb J (eds). Cham, Switzerland: Springer; 2019
Bolic Baric V, Skuthälla S, Pettersson M The effectiveness of weighted blankets on sleep and everyday activities. A retrospective follow-up study of children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or autism spectrum disorder. Scand J Occup Ther. 2023; 30:1357-1367 https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2021.1939414
Leew SV, Stein NG, Gibbard WB. Weighted vests' effect on social attention for toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. Can J Occup Ther. 2010; 77:113-124 https://doi.org/10.2182/cjot.2010.77.2.7
Olson LJ, Moulton HJ. Use of weighted vests in pediatric occupational therapy practice. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2004; 24:45-60 https://doi.org/10.1300/j006v24n03_04
Hobson RP. Autism, literal language and concrete thinking: some developmental considerations. Metaphor Symbol. 2012; 27:4-21
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with an unknown aetiology and a combination of characteristics, including social interactions, repetitive behaviours and sensory behaviours. Some studies have suggested that up to 82.7% of parents noted that their child was upset by particular sensations, with reports of between 80% and 100% of individuals with autism having sensory processing difficulties. While patients with ASD are reported to be at an increased risk for caries, treatment can be difficult owing to variations in levels of cooperation during dental examinations.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: To assist in a successful dental visit, dental professionals should be aware of the sensory processing difficulties that patients diagnosed with autism have.
Article
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder in which the patient is likely to perceive the world and others around them in a different light to a neurotypical patient. Individuals have a certain combination of charateristics associated with social communication, sensory behaviours, repetitive behaviours and restriction in interests that start in early life. The prevalence of ASD is estimated to be <1%; however, this percentage may be higher in higher socio-economic groups.1 The spectrum means patients may present with a differing number and severity of diagnostic features.2
An in-depth knowledge and understanding of a patient's behavioural patterns is important to ensure a successful dental visit. Patients with ASD may not be able to communicate and share information using spoken language, eye contact or gestures.3 As such, their interpretation of stimuli may result in altered responses to olfactory, tactile, visual, auditory and gustatory signals.4 Patients with ASD may have challenging behaviour and one study found 65% of patients with ASD were uncooperative when performing oral health tasks.5
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Dental Update and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
