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Syndromes/Craniofacial Anomalies

311 - Dental Caries Prevalence in Children with Down Syndrome and Autism

Friday, May 24, 2024
3:15 PM – 3:25 PM EST
Location: Exhibit Hall (back left corner of the hall, space 137)

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Rachel J. Korman, DMD

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
    Harvard School of Dental Medicine
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • Isabelle Chase, DDS, FRCD(C)

    Director, Postdoctoral Pediatric Dentistry
    Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
    Harvard School of Dental Medicine
    Brookline, Massachusetts, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • Isabelle Chase, DDS, FRCD(C)

    Director, Postdoctoral Pediatric Dentistry
    Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
    Harvard School of Dental Medicine
    Brookline, Massachusetts, United States

Korman R, Oreskovic N, Alhazmi H, Chase I

(Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA)

Purpose: To assess the caries prevalence of children with Down syndrome (DS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a dual diagnosis (DS-ASD).

Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, electronic health records of 449 (0-18 years) patients with DS, ASD, and DS-ASD who presented to the Boston Children’s Hospital Dental Clinic between January 2012 and 2022 were reviewed. Linear regression assessed for caries risk (DMFT/dmft and CRA score) among patients with DS, ASD, and DS-ASD as predictor variables. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables (age, sex, race and ethnicity), functional status variables (toileting, Frankl score, and use of protective stabilization), and dental habits (fluoride use and brushing).

Results: The mean ratio (MR) of dmft was higher in patients with DS (MR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.31-1.94, p<0.01) and for patients with ASD (MR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.75-2.59, p<0.01) than in patients who were diagnosed with DS-ASD. The mean number of DMFT was higher in patients with DS (MR: 2.93, 95% CI: 2.06-4.17, p<0.01) and for patients with ASD (MR: 7.44, 95% CI: 5.49-10.08, p<0.01) than in patients who were diagnosed with DS-ASD.

Conclusion: Children with DS-ASD had the lowest risk of dental caries in their primary and permanent dentition. This may be in part due to this population being closely followed by a team of medical specialists and more likely to establish a dental home at a younger age. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying a lower caries risk for children with DS-ASD.