Special Health Care Needs
Abrar Ahmed, DMD
PGY2 Pediatric Dental Resident
NYU Langone San Diego
NYU Langone San Diego
San DIego, California, United States
Fadra Whyte, DMD, MPH
Pediatric Dentist
San Ysidro Health
San Diego, California, United States
Jacy Stauffer, DMD
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon, United States
Daniel J. Kane, DMD, MA
Program Director
NYU Langone Hospitals
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Fadra Whyte, DMD, MPH
Pediatric Dentist
San Ysidro Health
San Diego, California, United States
Purpose: This cross-sectional survey assessed caregivers’ satisfaction and oral health maintenance amongst their children with autism who have received Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy (ABAT) and those who have not.
Methods: 113 caregivers of children with autism (ages 2-14 years) completed a survey at the beginning of their dental appointment. Three variables were used to assess the impact of ABAT on oral health: frequency of brushing, flossing, and dental visits. Marginal homogeneity test was used for statistical significance of these categories.
Results: Of the 120 collected surveys, 113 were used due to completion; 79 caregivers reported their child had exposure to ABAT and 34 did not. Improvements were observed regarding the effects of ABAT on the frequency of brushing, (P < .001), flossing (P < .001), and dental visits (P < .001) before exposure to ABAT, in comparison to during/ after receiving ABAT. Of the 79 caregivers whose child had received ABAT, 90% were satisfied with their child’s acceptance of oral health maintenance at home, 89% were satisfied with their child’s acceptance of periodic evaluations/ prophylaxis, and 92% felt comfortable managing their child’s overall oral health. 95% would recommend ABAT to other parents.
Of the 34 caregivers whose children had never received ABAT, 44.1% were aware of the existence of ABAT, and 94% believed ABAT may help their child improve their oral hygiene.
Conclusion: Caregivers whose child received ABAT saw improved acceptance to oral health measures. Pediatric dentists should inform their patients’ families about the benefits of ABAT. Interprofessional collaborations between pediatric dental providers and ABA therapists may help enforce oral health promotion and prevention.