title: Characteristics and dental experiences of autistic children in Saudi Arabia: cross-sectional study.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to report base line information about characteristics, and dental experiences of a group of autistic children in three major cities of Saudi Arabia. Most of the children (76.2%) included in the study were diagnosed with autism before the age of 5 years. More than half of the children (53.7%) had no previous dental experience while 33% were treated under general anesthesia. The American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations should be applied in Saudi Arabia to help improve the average age of diagnosis and make a positive effect on children with autism and their families. Regular visits to dental clinics should be recommended to all families with autistic children to reduce dental disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P.O. Box 60169, Riyadh, 11545, Saudi Arabia. ezmurshid@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ebtissam Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Murshid
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012529:Saudi Arabia