Dental needs and status of autistic children: results from the National Survey of Children's Health.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the oral health status and dental needs of a nationally representative sample of 1- to 17-year-old children with or without autism.


METHODS
In the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health, parents reported their child's oral health status and needs. The condition of the child's teeth, demographics, time since last dental visit, and dental needs were assessed in autistic children (N=495) and nonautistic children (N=95,059). For a subset of children with reported fair or poor teeth, specific problems about their dentition were assessed for autistic children (N=69) and nonautistic children (N=7,002). Weighted percentages and chi-square statistics were calculated.


RESULTS
According to parents, 69% of nonautistic children and 52% of autistic children had their teeth in excellent or very good condition (P <.001). The dental status of children with autism and without autism, identified with fair or poor teeth, was comparable.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, parents of US autistic children were more likely to report their children's dentition to be in fair or poor condition than parents of US nonautistic children. Children with or without autism who had fair or poor teeth are faced with similar dental problems.
Kopycka-Kedzierawski
Dorota T
DT
Eastman Department of Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. Dorota_KopyckaKedzierawski@urmc.rochester.edu
Auinger
Peggy
P
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001321:Autistic Disorder; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009909:Oral Health; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data