Neurodevelopmental disorders, dental fear, and caries among children and adolescents in specialty dentistry care: a crosssectional study.

AIM: To assess the prevalence and relationship between dental fear, neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), and caries among children and adolescents referred to a dental clinic with specialist paediatric dentists.

CONCLUSION

Neurodevelopmental disorders were overrepresented among specialty dentistry patients in this study, with a ten-fold increase of autism prevalence compared to the general population. Dental fear is associated with increased caries compared to patients without dental fear. Knowledge of best practice of dental treatment for NDD and dental anxiety is a crucial skill for all dentistry professions.