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

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.