Oral Health Challenges and Hygiene Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-sectional Study from Tunisia.

AIM: This study aimed to assess oral hygiene practices, dental conditions, and access to dental care among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Tunisia.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study included 48 children diagnosed with ASD. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire completed by caregivers and a clinical oral examination. The questionnaire comprised 25 items divided into three domains: (1) Knowledge (awareness of oral hygiene importance, fluoride use, recognition of dental caries, and regular dental checkups); (2) Attitude (motivation for oral care, caregiver perception of dental visits, and beliefs about prevention); (3) Practices (tooth brushing frequency, technique, use of toothpaste, dental attendance, and dietary habits). The clinical examination assessed oral hygiene status, presence of untreated caries, gingival condition, and parafunctional oral habits. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Of the 48 children included in the study, 23% (n = 11) were classified at the severe end of the autism spectrum, while the remaining 77% (n = 37) presented with mild to moderate forms of ASD. Poor oral hygiene was observed in 46.6% (n = 14) of the children, untreated dental caries were present in 36.6% (n = 11), and 60% (n = 18) had never visited a dentist. Additionally, 33.3% (n = 10) of the children did not brush their teeth regularly. The presence of gingival inflammation and parafunctional habits was also noted but varied across severity levels of ASD.

CONCLUSION

The study reveals considerable challenges regarding oral hygiene behaviors, dental health status, and access to dental care among children with ASD in Tunisia. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted oral health education programs and enhanced caregiver involvement to improve oral health outcomes in this population.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A better understanding of the specific oral health needs of children with ASD is essential for tailoring dental care protocols. Focused caregiver training and adapted dental approaches are recommended to promote improved oral hygiene practices and overall oral health in children with ASD. How to cite this article: Ben Hadj Khalfa A, Boukhris H, Ayari G, et al. Oral Health Challenges and Hygiene Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-sectional Study from Tunisia. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(6):581-586.