title: Preferences of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders concerning oral health and dental treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the preferences of parents of children with or without autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) concerning oral health and dental treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire that queried demographics, dental needs, perceptions of dental materials and treatments, and parental concerns regarding relevant ASD issues in medicine and dentistry was distributed in the waiting rooms of a pediatric dental clinic and an autism clinic to parents or legal guardians of children undergoing treatment. The responses for the children with or without ASDs were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences between the ASDs (N=23) and non-ASDs (N=33) groups existed for: parental age; frequency of dental visits per year; supervision of tooth-brushing; and use of a fluoridated toothpaste. Statistically insignificant differences were found in attitudes toward: amalgam; composite; fluoride products; or behavior guidance techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parents or legal guardians of children with autism spectrum disorders are likely to have special beliefs and preferences regarding dental materials and dental behavior guidance.
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Capozza
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bimstein
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D057240:Patient Preference; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires