Oral Health Indicators among a sample of Hispanic Patients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the oral health and the associated health disparities of pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: This non-matched, case-control study recruited 22 subjects diagnosed with ASD (cases) and 27 without ASD (controls) aged 5-18 years. Two calibrated dentists performed dental exams for caries and gingivitis on all subjects. Parents/caregivers completed sociodemographics and social determinants oral health questionnaires. As appropriate, between-group comparisons were performed using chi-square, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney test. Associations between ASD and oral health indices were determined using logistic, Poisson, and linear regression models.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found for not easy finding dental services for ASD patients (p=0.014) and behavioral problems during dental visits (p=0.012). Children with ASD had significantly lower odds of caries (DMFT+dft>0) compared to children without ASD (OR=0.121; 95% CI: 0.023; 0.636). Age- and sex-adjusted models showed a significantly lower gingival index among those with ASD.

Conclusion: ASD patients had better oral health indices than the control subjects. The barriers to treatment for ASD patients were lack of access to dental care and living in a rural area.