Periodontal status and orthodontic treatment need of autistic children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the periodontal status and orthodontic treatment need of autistic children and compare these findings to nonaffected, same-age individuals.


METHODS
The periodontal status and orthodontic treatment need were evaluated in 32 autistic and 48 nonautistic boys and girls age 8 years to 12 years (mean 9.7 ± 1.2 years and 9.9 ± 1.1 years, respectively). The periodontal status of all subjects was recorded using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN) with a slight modification. The orthodontic treatment need was determined using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Chi-square test and odds ratio were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
No significant sex differences were found in the autistic or nonautistic groups. The autistic children presented with a significantly poorer periodontal status than the nonautistic children (P<.05). No significant differences in terms of the various malocclusion categories were found between both groups (P>.05); however, children with autism showed missing teeth, spacing, diastemas, reverse overjets, open bites, and Class II molar relationship tendencies in a higher percentage than nonautistic individuals. In all, autistic children and nonautistic children frequently needed orthodontic treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that children with autism require special dental management to improve their oral hygiene as well as their dental esthetics. More care from parents, general dentists, and pedodontists/orthodontists should be provided routinely to autistic children.
Luppanapornlarp
Suwannee
S
Department of Orthodontics, Mahidol University, Faculty of Dentistry, Prayatai, Bangkok, Thailand. dtslp@mahidol.ac.th
Leelataweewud
Pattarawadee
P
Putongkam
Pongstorn
P
Ketanont
Sutasinee
S
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000150:complications; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D003970:Diastema / Q000473:pathology; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D061326:Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000150:complications; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024343:Open Bite / Q000150:complications; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D057887:Overbite / Q000150:complications; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D010512:Periodontal Index; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000150:complications