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Special Health Care Needs
Harini Chitta, BDS, DMD (she/her/hers)
Resident- Pediatric Dentistry
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, Florida, United States
Jennifer Chung, PhD, LMFT
Assistant Professor
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, Florida, United States
Judith R. Chin, DDS, MS
Program Director
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine
Davie, Florida, United States
Purpose: Many individuals with autism experienced sensory processing difficulties, impacting their sensitivity to tastes, textures, and smells. This study aimed to investigate the impact of unflavored toothpaste on plaque reduction among children with ASD.
Methods: Study in process. This cross-sectional study recruited participants aged 3 to 10 years with mild to severe plaque levels from Mailman Segal Dental Clinic. Pre-intervention questionnaires and baseline assessments, utilizing the Silness and Loe plaque index, were conducted. Parents received education on the importance of color change, OHI and brushing techniques. Participants were given toothpaste for a month; one group received flavored toothpaste (control) and the other unflavored toothpaste (experimental). Post-intervention assessments included plaque index and satisfaction/compliance questionnaires. Demographics and caregiver knowledge were reported as frequencies and percentages; plaque level, brushing time, and compliance were reported as means and standard deviations. A mixed ANOVA was used to examine changes in plaque level among the two groups over time.
Results: Results were forthcoming and were used to determine the effectiveness of unflavored toothpaste in reducing plaque levels among children with ASD. In addition, caregivers' knowledge of children's brushing preferences/habits, changes in plaque scores, brushing time, and improvements in brushing compliance were assessed.