Three- to 21-year-old patients with autism spectrum disorders: parents' perceptions of severity of symptoms, oral health, and oral health-related behavior

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose was to explore the relationship between the level of functioning (listening/talking/reading/daily self-care/care at home/social skills) of three to 21-year-old patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their oral health and oral health-related behavior (brushing, flossing, dental visits).

Methods: Survey data were collected from 85 parents of ASD patients. Patients' level of functioning was determined with a short version of the Survey Interview Form of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (2nd edition).

Results: The patients ranged from very low to high levels of functioning. Oral health correlated with the ability to: listen (r=.53; P<.001); talk (r=.40; P<.001); read (r=.30; P<.01); engage in daily self-care (r=.36; P<.001); engage in care at home (r=.44; P<.001); and demonstrate social skills (r=.36; P<.001). The parents' comfort levels concerning brushing and flossing their children's teeth and taking their children to the dentist varied considerably and correlated with children's level of functioning. Frequency of tooth-brushing correlated with listening skills (r=31; P<.01); the frequency of flossing correlated with the ability to talk (r=.31; P<.01).

Conclusions: Understanding the relationships between level of functioning of children with ASDs and their oral health and oral health-related behavior could increase dentists' ability to provide the best possible care for these patients.