Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DiBiNeM), Unit of Dental Care for Special Needs Patients and Paediatric Dentistry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, Dental and Oral Surgery Clinic, Unit of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2021 Sep;22(3):243-247. doi: 10.23804/ejpd.2021.22.03.12.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterised by communication deficits and repetitive unusual behaviours. The behaviour guidance of these children represents a challenge for the dental team. The aim of the study was to evaluate the oral health status in a group of Italian children with ASD.
Study Design: Sixty-four Italian children with ASD and 64 controls were included. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and clinical examinations.
Dental trauma (p=0.007), bruxism (p=0.001) and biting objects habit (p=0.021) were more frequent in the study group; fluoride exposure was lower (p=0.001) (chi-square test). The mean plaque index was 1.48 ±0.75 in the study group and 0.81±0.56 in the control group (p=0.001; Mann-Whitney U test); the mean dmft/DMFT was 3.00 ±1.2 and 2.3 ±1.8 in the study group and 1.8 ±1.1 and 1.0 ±1.1 in the control group (p<0.001; Mann-Whitney U test). Anterior open bite was more frequent in the study group (p=0.013; Chi-square test). No significant differences were found for enamel defects, molar relationship, posterior crossbite and deep bite. Significantly more children with ASD showed a negative behaviour (80% vs 35%: p =0.001; Chi-square test). CONCLUSION Children with ASD have a poorer oral health status than healthy children. The early establishment of a home dental hygiene should be encouraged.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的特征是沟通障碍和重复出现的异常行为。这些儿童的行为指导对牙科团队来说是一个挑战。本研究的目的是评估一组意大利 ASD 儿童的口腔健康状况。
研究设计：纳入了 64 名意大利 ASD 儿童和 64 名对照组儿童。通过问卷调查和临床检查收集数据。
研究组中牙齿外伤（p=0.007）、磨牙症（p=0.001）和咬物习惯（p=0.021）更为常见；氟暴露水平较低（p=0.001）（卡方检验）。研究组的平均菌斑指数为 1.48±0.75，对照组为 0.81±0.56（p=0.001；Mann-Whitney U 检验）；研究组的平均 dmft/DMFT 为 3.00±1.2，对照组为 2.3±1.8（p<0.001；Mann-Whitney U 检验）。研究组中前牙开颌更为常见（p=0.013；卡方检验）。在牙釉质缺损、磨牙关系、后牙反颌和深覆颌方面无显著差异。研究组中表现出消极行为的儿童明显更多（80%比 35%：p=0.001；卡方检验）。
与健康儿童相比，ASD 儿童的口腔健康状况较差。应鼓励早期建立家庭口腔卫生习惯。
