Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Access to Dental Visits and Correlates of Preventive Dental Care in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dental care received by children in the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) was compared to National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data for children without special healthcare needs and children with parent-reported ASD. Correlates of obtained preventive dental services were examined within the ATN sample. Participants included 375 families of children ages 4 to 17 enrolled in the ATN. ATN families reported levels of preventive dental care that were similar to, or exceeded, NSCH-reported care. However, disparities in obtained preventive dental services emerged within the ATN sample. Lower intellectual functioning was the most consistent correlate of reduced access to and completion of preventive dental care. Implications for developing system-wide supports and targeted interventions are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (2009). The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA): Development, findings, theory, and applications. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Research Center for Children, Youth, & Families.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Barroso, N. E., Mendez, L., Graziano, P. A., & Bagner, D. M. (2018). Parenting stress through the lens of different clinical groups: A systematic review & meta-analysis. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 46(3), 449–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayley, N. (2005). Bayley scales of infant and toddler development (3rd ed.). Pearson: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brannan, A. M., Heflinger, C. A., & Bickman, L. (1997). The caregiver strain questionnaire: Measuring the impact on the family of living with a child with serious emotional disturbance. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 5(4), 212–222. https://doi.org/10.1177/106342669700500404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brickhouse, T. H., Farrington, F. H., Best, A. M., & Ellsworth, C. W. (2009). Barriers to dental care for children in Virginia with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Dentistry for Children, 76(3), 188–193.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cagetti, M. G., Bastroberardino, S., Campus, G., Olivari, B., Faggioli, R., Lenti, C., et al. (2015). Dental care protocol based on visual supports for children with autism spectrum disorders. Medicina oral, patologia oral y cirugia bucal, 20(5), e598. https://doi.org/10.4317/medoral.20424.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cermak, S. A., Duker, L. I. S., Williams, M. E., Dawson, M. E., Lane, C. J., & Polido, J. C. (2015). Sensory adapted dental environments to enhance oral care for children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled private study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(9), 2876–2888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2450-5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chiri, G., & Warfield, M. E. (2012). Unmet need and problems accessing core health care services for children with autism spectrum disorder. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 16(5), 1081–1091. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0833-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummings, J. R., Lynch, F. L., Rust, K. C., Coleman, K. J., Madden, J. M., Owen-Smith, A. A., et al. (2016). Health services utilization among children with and without autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(3), 910–920. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2634-z.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • DeMattei, R. A., Cuvo, A., & Maurizio, S. (2007). Oral assessment of children with an autism spectrum disorder. American Dental Hygienists’ Association, 81(3), 65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eidelman, E., Faibis, S., & Peretz, B. (2000). A comparison of restorations for children with early childhood caries treated under general anesthesia or conscious sedation. Pediatric Dentistry, 22(1), 33–37.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, C. (2007). Differential ability scales (2nd ed.). San Antonio, TX: Harcourt Assessment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairbrother, G., Kenney, G., Hanson, K., & Dubay, L. (2005). How do stressful family environments relate to reported access and use of health care by low-income children? Medical Care Research and Review, 62(2), 205–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558704273805.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frye, R. E., Slattery, J., Delhey, L., Furgerson, B., Strickland, T., Tippett, M., … Quadros, E. V. (2018). Folinic acid improves verbal communication in children with autism and language impairment: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Molecular Psychiatry, 23, 247–256. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2016.168.

  • Hayes, S. A., & Watson, S. L. (2013). The impact of parenting stress: A meta-analysis of studies comparing the experience of parenting stress in parents of children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(3), 629–642. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1604-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Isong, I. A., Rao, S. R., Holifield, C., Iannuzzi, D., Hanson, E., Ware, J., et al. (2014). Addressing dental fear in children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled pilot study using electronic screen media. Clinical Pediatrics, 53(3), 230–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/0009922813517169.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jaber, M. A. (2011). Dental caries experience, oral health status and treatment needs of dental patients with autism. Journal of Applied Oral Science, 19(3), 212–217. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572011000300006.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kanne, S. M., Mazurek, M. O., Sikora, D., Bellando, J., Branum-Martin, L., Handen, B., et al. (2014). The Autism Impact Measure (AIM): Initial development of a new tool for treatment outcome measurement. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(1), 168–179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1862-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kogan, M. D., Strickland, B. B., Blumberg, S. J., Singh, G. K., Perrin, J. M., & van Dyck, P. C. (2008). A national profile of the health care experiences and family impact of autism spectrum disorder among children in the United States, 2005–2006. Pediatrics, 122(6), e1149–e1158. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-1057.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kopycka-Kedzierawski, D. T., & Auinger, P. (2008). Dental needs and status of autistic children: Result from the National Survey of Children’s Health. Pediatric Dentistry, 30(1), 54–58.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lai, B., Milano, M., Roberts, M. W., & Hooper, S. R. (2012). Unmet dental neesd and barriers to dental care among children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(7), 1294–1303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1362-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lajonchere, C., Jones, N., Coury, D. L., & Perrin, J. M. (2012). Leadership in health care, research, and quality improvement for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: Autism Treatment Network and Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health. Pediatrics, 130(2), S62–S68. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-0900C.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loo, C. Y., Graham, R. M., & Hughes, C. V. (2008). The caries experience and behavior of dental patients with autism spectrum disorder. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 139(11), 1518–1524. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2008.0078.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P., Risi, R., Gotham, K., & Bishop, S. (2012). Autism diagnostic observation schedule, second edition (ADOS-2). Torrance, CA: WPS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattila, K. J., Pussinen, P. J., & Paju, S. (2005). Dental infections and cardiovascular diseases: A review. Journal of Periodontology, 76, 2085–2088. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2005.76.11-S.2085.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKinney, C. M., Nelson, T., Scott, J. M., Heaton, L. J., Vaughn, M. G., & Lewis, C. W. (2014). Predictors of unmet dental need in children with autism spectrum disorder: Results from a national sample. Academic Pediatrics, 14(6), 624–631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2014.06.023.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mullen, E. M. (1995). Mullen scales of early learning. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, D. S., Fedele, A., Shui, A., & Coury, D. L. (2016). The autism speaks autism treatment network registry data: Opportunities for investigators. Pediatrics, 137(2), S72–S78. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-2851E.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orellana, L. M., Martinez-Sanchis, S., & Silvestre, F. J. (2014). Training adults and children with an autism spectrum disorder to be compliant with a clinical dental assessment using a TEACCH-based approach. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(4), 776–785. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1930-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, P. E., Bourgeois, D., Ogawa, H., Estupinan-Day, S., & Ndiaye, C. (2005). The global burden of oral diseases and risks to oral health. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 83(9), 661–669.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Roid, G. (2003). Stanford-binet intelligence scales (5th ed.). Itasca, IL: Riverside Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roid, G., & Miller, L. (1997). Leiter international performance scale-revised (Vol. 1997). Wood Dale, IL: Stoelting Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruble, L., Murray, D., McGrew, J. H., Brevoort, K., & Wong, V. W. (2018). A preliminary study of activation, stress, and self-management of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(3), 825–834. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0814-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russell, G., Mandy, W., Elliott, D., White, R., Pittwood, T., & Ford, T. (2019). Selection bias on intellectual ability in autism research: A cross-sectional review and meta-analysis. Molecular Autism, 10(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-019-0260-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc. (2013). Base SAS® 9.4 procedures guide: High-performance procedures (2nd ed.). Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparrow, S., Cicchetti, D., & Balla, D. (2005). Vineland adaptive behavior scales (2nd ed.). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • StataCorp. (2017). Stata statistical software: Release 15. College Station, TX: StataCorp LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, L. I., Lane, C. J., Williams, M. E., Dawson, M. E., Polido, J. C., & Cermak, S. A. (2014). Physiological and behavioral stress and anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders during routine oral care. BioMed Research International, 2014, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/694876.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tregnago, M. K., & Cheak-Zamora, N. C. (2012). Systematic review of disparities in health care for individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the United States. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(3), 1023–1031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2012.01.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • US Census Bureau. (2017). 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health: Methodology report.

  • US Census Bureau. (2018). 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health: Guide to analysis of multi-year NSCH data.

  • US Census Bureau. (2018). Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative DRC for Child and Adolescent Health. Retreived from: www.childhealthdata.org.

  • Wechsler, D. (1999). Wechsler abbreviated scale of intelligence. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (2003). Wechsler intelligence scale for children (4th ed.). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weschsler, D. (2002). Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence (3rd ed.). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, S. (2013). Management of child patient behavior: Quality of care, fear and anxiety, and the child patient. Pediatric Dentistry, 35(2), 170–174.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Funding

This Network activity was supported by Autism Speaks and cooperative agreement UA3 MC11054 through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Research Program to the Massachusetts General Hospital. This work was conducted through the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, the U.S. Government, or Autism Speaks. This work was conducted through the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network serving as the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Studies and Center for Autism, California State University, Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd. EC-560, Fullerton, CA, 92831, USA

    Rachel M. Fenning & Jacquelyn Moffitt

  2. Department of Pediatrics, The Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA

    Rachel M. Fenning, Robin Steinberg-Epstein, Kelly McKinnon-Bermingham & Jacquelyn Moffitt

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Eric M. Butter

  4. Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    James Chan, Amy M. Shui & Robert A. Parker

  5. Department of Dentistry, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Kimberly J. Hammersmith

  6. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Robert A. Parker

  7. Department of Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Daniel L. Coury

  8. Simons Foundation, New York, NY, USA

    Paul P. Wang

  9. Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Karen A. Kuhlthau

Authors
  1. Rachel M. Fenning
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robin Steinberg-Epstein
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Eric M. Butter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. James Chan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kelly McKinnon-Bermingham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Kimberly J. Hammersmith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jacquelyn Moffitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Amy M. Shui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Robert A. Parker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Daniel L. Coury
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Paul P. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Karen A. Kuhlthau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

RMF, RSE, EMB, KJH, RAP, DLC, PPW, KAK, KMB, JM, JC, and AMS participated in the design of data collection instruments and conceptualized and designed the study. RMF drafted the initial manuscript, and all authors participated in the review and revision of the manuscript. RAP, JC, and AMS additionally contributed to data analysis and related manuscript components.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachel M. Fenning.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Standard

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committees and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fenning, R.M., Steinberg-Epstein, R., Butter, E.M. et al. Access to Dental Visits and Correlates of Preventive Dental Care in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 3739–3747 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04420-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04420-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation