Behaviour guidance in dental treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorder.
BACKGROUND
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder categorized into autism, pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.


OBJECTIVE
To identify factors associated with the behaviour of patients with ASD in a dental setting, use of general anaesthesia (GA), and protective stabilization.


METHODS
The dental charts of 395 patients with ASD patients and 386 unaffected patients were reviewed. The following data were analysed: ASD diagnosis, age, gender, residence, seizure disorder, additional diagnosis (mental retardation, cerebral palsy, self-injurious behaviour or pica), medications, caries prevalence and severity, dental treatment history, behaviour, and behaviour guidance technique(s) used.


RESULTS
Within both groups, younger patients were more uncooperative. ASD patients with autism were more uncooperative than patients with PDD-NOS; patients with an additional diagnosis were also more uncooperative. ASD patients with higher caries severity, who were uncooperative or female, were more likely to require GA. Use of protective stabilization was associated with lower caries severity, presence of seizure disorder, uncooperative behaviour, male gender, or residency in a group home/institution.


CONCLUSIONS
Autism spectrum disorder patients with autism, younger age and an additional diagnosis were more uncooperative. Factors associated with the use of GA and protective stabilization in patients with ASD were also identified.
Loo
Cheen Y
CY
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA. c.loo@tufts.edu
Graham
Richard M
RM
Hughes
Christopher V
CV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D032763:Behavior Control / Q000379:methods*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D004245:DMF Index; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult