167 - Parenting Style, Stress, Behavior, and Caries in Neurodevelopmentally Disordered children

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between parenting style, parenting stress, child’s dental behavior, and caries in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Methods: Nine Child/parent dyad who were 3-12 years old with no previous dental treatment history, with neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism-spectrum-disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual disability/mental retardation/learning disability, and Developmental delay), were included in the study. The child participant of the dyad had his/her behavior coded by calibrated dentists using the Frankl scale while performing oral prophylaxis. The presence of caries was determined by clinical examination and radiographs. The parent participants of the dyad were given a demographic questionnaire, Parenting Style and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ-32) and Parenting Stress Index -Short Form (PSI-SF). The statistical analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation, Fisher’s extract and chi-square test. Data analysis was performed with significance P < 0.05.

Results: Authoritative parenting style accounted for 3 children (37%) with positive behavior and 5 children (62%) with negative behavior. Authoritative parenting style accounted for 2 children (25%) with caries absent and 6 children (75%) with caries present. Low Parenting stress accounted for positive behavior in 2 children (25%) and negative behavior in 6 children (75%). Low parenting stress accounted for caries absent in 2 children (25%) present in 6 children (75%)

Conclusion: Based on this pilot data, we don’t have enough evidence to say that there is an association between caries, dental behavior, parenting style and parenting stress in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.