Treating patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder—SCDA members’ attitudes and behavior

Abstract

The goal of this study was to explore (a) the attitudes and behavior of members of the Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA) who self-identified as treating patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and (b) the relationship between their professional attitudes and behaviors concerning these patients. Data were collected from 75 SCDA members who responded to an anonymous web-based survey on the SCDA website. The majority of respondents liked to treat children and adults with ASD (57%/56.9%). They treated approximately nine patients with ASD in an average week. The more they liked to treat children with ASD, the more patients with ASD they treated (r = .313; p = .018), and the more accommodations to overcome problems with communication, social interactions and aversion to change they made (r = .404; p < .001). Providers' attitudes concerning patients with ASD were quite positive and correlated with professional behavior concerning these patients. Future research should explore whether improving attitudes towards providing care for special needs patients could increase professional behavior and thus contribute to reducing the access to care problems these patients face.

Physiological and Behavioral Stress and Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders during Routine Oral Care

“…Accommodations such as using picture schedules or boards, social stories to prepare children for dental visits, visual aids, speaking in short, concise phrases that are repeated often, behavioral training and modeling, and/or desensitization appointments may be helpful with this population. Some of these techniques have already been utilized for children with ASD during dental care and in other arenas with success [5, 14, 43–46]. Additionally, adapting the dental environment to decrease arousal may be beneficial for the ASD population, as physiological and behavioral distress were found to be moderately to strongly correlated in this study.…”

Parents’ perceptions of dental care challenges in male children with autism spectrum disorder: An initial qualitative exploration

“…Flexibility and creativity are essential in the dental office, as simultaneous use of multiple accommodations may benefit children with special needs, especially those with ASD (Weil et al, 2011). In fact, one study surveying Special Care Dentistry Association members found that respondents utilized an average of 6.34 accommodations to address difficulties with communication, routine, and social interactions when providing dental care for children with ASD (Weil et al, 2011).…”

“…Flexibility and creativity are essential in the dental office, as simultaneous use of multiple accommodations may benefit children with special needs, especially those with ASD (Weil et al, 2011). In fact, one study surveying Special Care Dentistry Association members found that respondents utilized an average of 6.34 accommodations to address difficulties with communication, routine, and social interactions when providing dental care for children with ASD (Weil et al, 2011). As mentioned earlier, a recent study adapted the visual, auditory, and tactile environment of the dental operatory during routine dental cleanings, successfully decreasing the physiological distress, behavioral distress, perception of pain, and sensory discomfort in children with ASD (Cermak et al, 2015).…”

Educational and therapeutic behavioral approaches to providing dental care for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Research suggests that approximately 30–50% of children with ASD are capable of receiving dental care using only behavioral techniques . Table lists a number of factors have been associated with greater difficulty accepting dental care …”