Sensory Adapted Dental Environments to Enhance Oral Care for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
This pilot and feasibility study examined the impact of a sensory adapted dental environment (SADE) to reduce distress, sensory discomfort, and perception of pain during oral prophylaxis for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants were 44 children ages 6-12 (n = 22 typical, n = 22 ASD). In an experimental crossover design, each participant underwent two professional dental cleanings, one in a regular dental environment (RDE) and one in a SADE, administered in a randomized and counterbalanced order 3-4 months apart. Outcomes included measures of physiological anxiety, behavioral distress, pain intensity, and sensory discomfort. Both groups exhibited decreased physiological anxiety and reported lower pain and sensory discomfort in the SADE condition compared to RDE, indicating a beneficial effect of the SADE.
Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA, Cermak@usc.edu.
Sharon A
SA
Cermak
Leah I
LI
Stein Duker
Marian E
ME
Williams
Michael E
ME
Dawson
Christianne J
CJ
Lane
José C
JC
Polido
D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*