Hariyani Ninuk, Shoaib Lily Azura, Rohani Maryani Mohamed, Hanna Kamal Maher Batra, Lee Hyewon
Department of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia.
Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
Saudi Dent J. 2024 Dec;36(12):1533-1538. doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2024.09.019. Epub 2024 Sep 27.
While many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience dental caries, some of them are caries-free. This study aimed to understand the caregivers' oral health perceptions, beliefs, and behavior that could influence dental caries experience in children with ASD.
The qualitative study was part of a study employing a mixed-methods design conducted to explore the severity and risk factors for caries experience. Individual interviews and two focus group discussions (FGD) involving caregivers of children with ASD aged 5-18 years were conducted. The caregivers' perception of caries risks, oral care beliefs and behavior were explored. Interviews and FGDs recordings were transcribed and then analyzed thematically by two independent coders.
Twenty-two caregivers provided their thoughts. The study found that caries experience was influenced by fatalistic belief, low self-efficacy and control. Caregivers of children with dental caries thought that caries is not dangerous. Caregivers experienced social pressure to provide their ASD children with what they want Conversely, Caregivers of caries-free ASD children thought that strict commitment from an early age was needed to prevent caries.
Our findings support that caregivers' perceptions, beliefs and behavior influence dental caries experience in children with ASD which might need the clinicians' consideration.
虽然许多自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童患有龋齿，但其中一些儿童却没有龋齿。本研究旨在了解可能影响ASD儿童龋齿患病情况的照料者的口腔健康认知、信念和行为。
这项定性研究是一项采用混合方法设计的研究的一部分，该研究旨在探讨龋齿患病情况的严重程度和风险因素。对5至18岁ASD儿童的照料者进行了个人访谈和两次焦点小组讨论（FGD）。探讨了照料者对龋齿风险的认知、口腔护理信念和行为。对访谈和FGD的录音进行了转录，然后由两名独立编码员进行主题分析。
22名照料者表达了他们的想法。研究发现，龋齿患病情况受宿命论信念、低自我效能感和控制感的影响。患有龋齿的儿童的照料者认为龋齿并不危险。照料者在满足他们患有ASD的孩子的需求方面感受到社会压力。相反，没有龋齿的ASD儿童的照料者认为，需要从幼年起就严格要求以预防龋齿。
我们的研究结果支持，照料者的认知、信念和行为会影响ASD儿童的龋齿患病情况，这可能需要临床医生予以考虑。
