Do autistic children have higher levels of caries? A cross-sectional study in Turkish children.
The aim of this study is to assess whether the dental caries experience is higher in children with an autistic disorder (AD) than in normal children. Three schools for autistic children and three standard elementary schools in Istanbul, Turkey, were included in a cross-sectional study. Subjects were orally examined. Socio-demographic information and data about their oral care habits were obtained from their parents from records. Sixty-two children with AD and 301 children without AD were examined. Their ages varied between 6 and 12 years. Children with AD compared to those without AD had lower experience of caries. Logistic regression analysis of DMFT showed that the dental status was positively affected in younger children (OR = 15.57; 95% CI 7.62, 31.80), children from families with high income (OR = 5.42; 95% CI 2.31, 12.75), children brushing teeth regularly (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.10, 3.68), children consuming less sugar (OR = 5.01; 95% CI 2.57, 9.76) and in those with AD (OR=3.99; 95% CI 1.56, 10.19). Children with AD had better caries status than children without AD at younger ages.
Department of Public Health, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. necminamal@yahoo.com
Necmi
N
Namal
Hayriye Ertem
HE
Vehit
Selcuk
S
Koksal
D000367:Age Factors; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D012307:Risk Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D019422:Dietary Sucrose