Management of children with autism spectrum disorder in the dental setting: concerns, behavioural approaches and recommendations
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BORIS DOI
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
23986012
Description
OBJECTIVES
This article reviews the present literature on the issues encountered while coping with children with autistic spectrum disorder from the dental perspective. The autistic patient profile and external factors affecting the oral health status of this patient population are discussed upon the existing body of evidence.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The MEDLINE database was searched using the terms 'Autistic Disorder', 'Behaviour Control/methods', 'Child', 'Dental care for disabled', 'Education', 'Oral Health', and 'Pediatric Dentistry' to locate related articles published up to January 2013.
RESULTS
Most of the relevant studies indicate poor oral hygiene whereas they are inconclusive regarding the caries incidence in autistic individuals. Undergraduate dental education appears to determine the competence of dental professionals to treat developmentally disabled children and account partly for compromised access to dental care. Dental management of an autistic child requires in-depth understanding of the background of the autism and available behavioural guidance theories. The dental professional should be flexible to modify the treatment approach according to the individual patient needs.
This article reviews the present literature on the issues encountered while coping with children with autistic spectrum disorder from the dental perspective. The autistic patient profile and external factors affecting the oral health status of this patient population are discussed upon the existing body of evidence.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The MEDLINE database was searched using the terms 'Autistic Disorder', 'Behaviour Control/methods', 'Child', 'Dental care for disabled', 'Education', 'Oral Health', and 'Pediatric Dentistry' to locate related articles published up to January 2013.
RESULTS
Most of the relevant studies indicate poor oral hygiene whereas they are inconclusive regarding the caries incidence in autistic individuals. Undergraduate dental education appears to determine the competence of dental professionals to treat developmentally disabled children and account partly for compromised access to dental care. Dental management of an autistic child requires in-depth understanding of the background of the autism and available behavioural guidance theories. The dental professional should be flexible to modify the treatment approach according to the individual patient needs.
Date of Publication
2013-11-01
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
600 - Technology::610 - Medicine & health
Language(s)
en
Contributor(s)
Delli, Konstantina | |
Reichart, Peter A. | |
Livas, Christos |
Additional Credits
Zahnmedizinische Kliniken, Klinik für Oralchirurgie und Stomatologie
Series
Medicina oral, patología oral y cirugía bucal
Publisher
Medicina Oral
ISSN
1698-6946
Access(Rights)
open.access