Comparison of dental health status in children with autism spectrum disorder vs other developmental disabilities: Results from 2016 national survey of Children's health

Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorder exhibit unconventional responses to sensory stimulation which maybe a barrier to regular dental care. Clinical Relevance/Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to assess the overall dental health status of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder aged 3-17 years compared with children of similar age who were diagnosed with Other Developmental Disabilities. Methods: Data from 2016 National Survey of Children's Health was used to compare the dental health status of children aged 3-17 years diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to other developmental disabilities, as well as across the levels of intellectual deficit by employing observational study design. Results: Results indicated that with a comorbid intellectual deficit, children with autism spectrum disorder have higher odds of lacking preventive oral care and exhibiting dental problems, but significantly lower odds of reporting a poor/fair oral hygiene index compared to children with other developmental disabilities with intellectual deficit. Children with intellectual deficit had higher odds of reporting a poor/fair oral hygiene index but had lower odds of having dental problems compared to children without intellectual deficit, independent of autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disability. Conclusion: These findings support the development of preventive protocols to improve oral health in children with autism spectrum disorder that may positively impact their quality of life. & COPY; 2023 Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.