Angelova Sirma, Konstantinova Desislava, Nenova-Nogalcheva Anna, Pancheva Rouzha
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov", 9000 Varna, Bulgaria.
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov", 9000 Varna, Bulgaria.
Children (Basel). 2025 Jun 9;12(6):750. doi: 10.3390/children12060750.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition in children that typically involves challenges in cognition, behavior, and communication. While many children with ASD exhibit significant impairments in both verbal and non-verbal communication, the severity and nature of these difficulties can vary widely. In addition to its impact on overall health, ASD also affects oral health, leading to increased vulnerability to dental disease.
This narrative review aims to summarize key oral health challenges and care strategies for children with ASD, focusing on clinical risks, behavioral barriers, caregiver roles, and effective interventions.
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using four databases-PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar-as well as relevant study registries where applicable. Peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2010 and 2024 were identified using keywords and their synonyms, such as autism spectrum disorder, children, oral care, dental practitioners, and parents. Studies were included based on relevance to oral health challenges and interventions in children diagnosed with ASD.
Children with ASD experience a range of sensory sensitivities, attention deficits, hyperactivity, and behavioral resistance, which significantly hinder the performance of adequate oral hygiene practices. These challenges contribute to a lack of effective dental prophylaxis and limited access to regular preventive care, ultimately resulting in poorer oral health outcomes and reduced oral health-related quality of life.
Due to the multifaceted characteristics of ASD, children with this condition face significant barriers in accessing appropriate and individualized oral care. This increases their risks of developing oral health disorders, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts between caregivers and dental professionals to improve oral health outcomes in this vulnerable population.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种儿童神经发育疾病，通常涉及认知、行为和沟通方面的挑战。虽然许多患有ASD的儿童在言语和非言语沟通方面都有明显障碍，但这些困难的严重程度和性质差异很大。除了对整体健康的影响外，ASD还会影响口腔健康，导致患牙病的风险增加。
本叙述性综述旨在总结自闭症谱系障碍儿童的关键口腔健康挑战和护理策略，重点关注临床风险、行为障碍、照顾者角色和有效干预措施。
使用四个数据库——PubMed、Scopus、科学网和谷歌学术搜索——以及适用的相关研究注册库进行了全面的文献检索。使用关键词及其同义词，如自闭症谱系障碍、儿童、口腔护理、牙科医生和家长，识别2010年至2024年期间以英文发表的同行评审文章。根据与诊断为ASD的儿童口腔健康挑战和干预措施的相关性纳入研究。
患有ASD的儿童存在一系列感觉敏感、注意力缺陷、多动和行为抗拒问题，这严重阻碍了充分口腔卫生措施的实施。这些挑战导致缺乏有效的牙齿预防措施以及获得常规预防护理的机会有限，最终导致口腔健康状况较差和与口腔健康相关的生活质量下降。
由于ASD的多方面特征，患有这种疾病的儿童在获得适当和个性化口腔护理方面面临重大障碍。这增加了他们患口腔健康疾病的风险，突出了照顾者和牙科专业人员之间需要协同努力，以改善这一弱势群体的口腔健康状况。
