Readiness for Dental Care in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIMS: This systematic review aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of dental readiness (defined as the developmental stage and experience necessary for receiving dental care) in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, and to evaluate the effectiveness of assessing readiness before dental care.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ICHUSHI. The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Due to the heterogeneity of disabilities and the limited number of randomized controlled trials, 19 of the 22 included studies were cross-sectional, resulting in a low evidence level. Statistical analysis using Easy R (EZR) revealed a significant pooled odds ratio of 12.55 (95% Cl: 10.66-14.78), supporting the value of evaluating developmental age and activities-of-daily-living (ADL) independence as indicators of readiness for dental care.

CONCLUSION

Assessing developmental age and ADL independence can help predict dental readiness in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. This evaluation supports decisions regarding behavioral modification during oral examinations, behavioral management during treatment, the need for assistance or restraint during X-rays, and adaptability to assisted tooth brushing.