Sensory Adapted Dental Environments to Enhance Oral Care for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

J Autism Dev Disord. 2015 Sep;45(9):2876-88. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2450-5.

Abstract

This pilot and feasibility study examined the impact of a sensory adapted dental environment (SADE) to reduce distress, sensory discomfort, and perception of pain during oral prophylaxis for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants were 44 children ages 6-12 (n = 22 typical, n = 22 ASD). In an experimental crossover design, each participant underwent two professional dental cleanings, one in a regular dental environment (RDE) and one in a SADE, administered in a randomized and counterbalanced order 3-4 months apart. Outcomes included measures of physiological anxiety, behavioral distress, pain intensity, and sensory discomfort. Both groups exhibited decreased physiological anxiety and reported lower pain and sensory discomfort in the SADE condition compared to RDE, indicating a beneficial effect of the SADE.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02077985.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety / prevention & control
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / complications
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Dental Care / methods
  • Dental Care / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oral Hygiene / methods
  • Oral Hygiene / psychology
  • Stomatognathic Diseases / complications
  • Stomatognathic Diseases / prevention & control
  • Stomatognathic Diseases / therapy*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02077985