Effectiveness of the D-TERMINED Program of Repetitive Tasking for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the D-TERMINED Program with standard behavior guidance techniques (SBGTs) used for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a private dental setting.


METHODS
A retrospective data analysis was performed from records of children with ASD who received treatment using either the D-TERMINED program or SBGTs at two private dental practices. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon Signed Rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression.


RESULTS
Forty-four charts (22 in each group) were selected from office visits between 1999 and 2012. Children in the D-TERMINED group were significantly younger (P=0.01). There were no significant differences between groups regarding gender and dental care characteristics. Patients treated with the D-TERMINED program showed a significantly greater improvement in behavioral scores compared to the control group (P=0.03). Additionally, children treated with the D-TERMINED program had significantly lower referrals for dental treatment under general anesthesia (P=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The D-TERMINED program may help children with ASD learn the cooperation skills necessary to receive treatment in a dental practice, which might impact health care cost effectiveness.
Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. jaalhumaid@uod.edu.sa.
Jehan
J
AlHumaid
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass., USA.
David
D
Tesini
Department of Public Health and Community Service, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass., USA.
Matthew
M
Finkelman
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass., USA.
Cheen Y
CY
Loo
D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000379:methods*; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000379:methods*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies