Prognostic Factors for Successful Dental Treatment in Autistic Children and Adolescents

AIM: The aim of this study was to recognize and assess the prognostic factors which could predict the level of cooperation of children with autism for dental appointments. METHODS: A total of 395 parents of children with autism participated in this study. Prognostic factors of cooperation were evaluated using questionnaires. Data were collected using parent surveys by a dentist. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analyses used in the present study include the formation one way and two-way frequency tables, binomial tests, Pearson's Chi-squared tests, Fisher's exact test, and collation of multiple proportions tests. RESULTS: Autistic children meeting their own needs, cooperation for nail-clipping and haircuts, smiling frequently, using toothbrushes and toothpaste and being assisted by parents for toothbrushing, and children who brushed their teeth once a day were more cooperative with the dentist. Children who had thumb-sucking and nail-biting habits were cooperative with the dentist. Children who bit their hands appeared to be more cooperative with the dentist when compared to other self-inflicting habits. CONCLUSION: This study identified ”prognostic factors” such as their cooperative ability during nail clipping, hair cutting, and ability to read, write, and meet their own needs that are answered by a parent and that may show a child's cooperative potential. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Chamarthi VR, Arangannal P. Prognostic Factors for Successful Dental Treatment in Autistic Children and Adolescents. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-1):S45–S50.