Abstract

AMADOR, Lesbia Rosa Tirado-; MADERA, Meisser  and  LEAL-ACOSTA, Carlos Arturo. Oral health in subjects with autistic spectrum disorder: considerations for dental care. CES odontol. [online]. 2021, vol.34, n.2, pp.139-158.  Epub Mar 31, 2022. ISSN 0120-971X.  https://doi.org/10.21615/cesodon.5846.

Oral health status and dental care in subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) deserves attention, given the specific characteristics of their oral pathophysiology and some behavioral factors that influence the progress of oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease. The objective of the present review was to describe the evidence regarding oral health as well as relevant considerations for dental care in subjects with ASD. Therefore, a systematic search of the literature was carried out using the information seekers: EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. The descriptors used were: Trastorno del Espectro Autista, Salud Bucal, Caries dental, Enfermedades Periodontales, Atención Odontológica (DeCS-Bireme), their combinations and equivalents in English: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral health, Dental caries, Periodontal Diseases, Dental care (MeSH-Database). Considering articles published between 2014 and September 2019. Initially, the titles were reviewed and eligibility criteria were applied for the description of the included evidence, corresponding to 46 articles, considering their focus, typology, language and year of publication, and then an analysis of the information was proposed. Concluding that the evidence remains controversial and limited, with a tendency to highlight deficiencies in oral hygiene performed in the homes of individuals with ASD, the presence of dental caries, periodontal disease, and some findings that condition oral physiology and the progress of oral diseases. Likewise, the difficulty in dental care is highlighted due to the questionable preparation of the dental staff and the consequent fears in parents that may limit attendance at the consultation in a timely manner and at an early age to achieve a good adaptation. Due to all the above, dental care becomes a challenge that should guide its actions with empathy to serve this population with the participation of the family, teachers and other members of specialized institutions, with a holistic and family medicine nature.

Keywords : autism spectrum disorder; oral health; mouth diseases; parents; caregivers (Source MeSH-Database).

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