title: Evaluation of the efficacy of a dental plaque control program in autistic patients.
abstract: The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of a programme for dental plaque control in autistics. Patients were evaluated on five occasions over a period of 180 days using the following instruments: OHI-S, DMF-T, the Fonnes brushing technique and diet questionnaire. Participants were divided into two groups according to level of co-operation on the programme: Group A (co-operative) and Group B (non-cooperative). A statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) in Oral Hygiene was attained, with 84.2% showing regular or satisfactory hygiene at study end-point.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Groups A and B both showed improvement in hygiene (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004), but improvement was significantly higher among co-operative patients (p < 0.001 at 180 days), who also had a higher mean age (p = 0.02).
authors.affiliation: Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. guilhermegdias@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Guilherme G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Eliane F G B
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.forename: Estevão
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vadasz
authors.forename: José Tadeu T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Siqueira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D014099:Toothbrushing; D055815:Young Adult