Oral health behaviours of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders and their barriers to dental care

Rennan Yanlin Du, Cynthia K.Y. Yiu, Nigel M. King

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61 Citations (Web of Science)

Abstract

This study compared oral health behaviours and barriers to dental care among preschool children with and without ASD, and evaluated dental knowledge and attitudes of their parents. 257 preschoolers with ASD and an age- and gender-matched control sample were recruited. Children with ASD had less frequently performed tooth-brushing and used toothpaste, but more often required parental assistance in tooth-brushing (p <.05). Barriers to dental care were more frequently reported among children with ASD (p <.001). Parents of children with ASD had higher scores in dental knowledge and attitudes than those without ASD. Differences in oral health behaviours and barriers to dental care existed between preschool children with and without ASD. Parents of children with ASD had better dental knowledge and attitudes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)453-459
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume49
Issue number2
Early online date22 Aug 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2019

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