Autism developmental profiles and cooperation with oral health screening (CDOE)

Abstract

Objectives: To determine associations between autism developmental profiles and cooperation with an oral health screening among preschool children. Methods: A random sample of special child care centers registered with the Government Social Welfare Department in Hong Kong was selected (19 out of 37 centres). All preschool children with autism were invited to participate in the oral health survey and 347 agreed to participate (among 515 invited). A checklist of autism development profiles: level of cognitive functioning, social skill development, communication skill development, reading skills and challenging behaviours was ascertained.

Results: Feasibility of conducting oral health screening was associated with cognitive functioning (P=0.001), social skill development (P=0.002), communication skill development (P<0.001), reading skills (P<0.001) and challenging behaviours (P=0.06). In regression analyses accounting for age (in months) and gender, inability to conduct an oral health screening was associated with having a challenging behaviours (OR 10.50, 95%CI 2.89 – 38.08, P<0.001) and reduced cognitive functioning (OR 5.29, 95%CI 1.14 - 24.61, P=0.034. Age (in months) was positively associated with likelihood of ability to conduct an oral health screening (OR 1.06, 95%CI 1.03 - 1.08, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Feasibility of conducting population wide oral health screening among preschool children with autism is associated with their developmental profiles and in particular levels of cognitive functioning and challenging behaviours.