Training children with autism spectrum disorder to undergo oral assessment using a digital iPad application.

AIM

To present a training programme for teaching children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), to be compliant with a dental examination.

METHODS

Fifty-two children and adolescents with ASD (age range 3-19 years) with a parent-signed consent form were enrolled. Dental examinations were performed once a month in education centres by a paediatric dentist using a visual activity schedule on an iPad that was created with a digital application, çATED. Achievement and anxiety were evaluated using scales and grids every 2 months for 8 months.

RESULTS

Showed an improvement in oral assessment; the children became compliant and less anxious. The percentage of individuals who underwent the entire dental exam process increased over time; it was 25% at the beginning of the study and 65.4% after 8 months. Only 7.7% of the sample was not anxious at the beginning, while 59.6% of the sample was not anxious after 8 months. Wilcoxon analysis also showed significant improvement in the studied variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Training children and adolescents with ASD to undergo dental examination was efficient. The use of the iPad is attractive and easy for practitioners and people with ASD.