Parent Perception of Child's Behavior during the Initial Dental Visit among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross Sectional Study

Marisa Chanin; Nicole Etcheverry; Maria A Levi-Minzi; Jennifer Chung; Oscar Padilla; Romer A Ocanto

doi:10.3390/ijerph20032454

Parent Perception of Child's Behavior during the Initial Dental Visit among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross Sectional Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 30;20(3):2454. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032454.

Authors

Marisa Chanin¹, Nicole Etcheverry¹, Maria A Levi-Minzi², Jennifer Chung¹, Oscar Padilla¹, Romer A Ocanto¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA.
² Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA.

Abstract

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate parent perception of behavior and level of cooperation to determine the success of a dental appointment with a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). (2) Methods: pre-treatment form, task analysis (TAS), and Frankl scale scores were extracted from patient charts. Values were calculated for patient demographics and other health characteristics (N = 235). Regression models were constructed to examine the success level during the first dental appointment (measured by TAS and Frankl scores) by several factors. (3) Results: The model to test patient characteristics: age, gender, ethnicity, and verbal communication, Hispanic ethnicity significantly predicted the TAS score, F (4, 191) = 2.45, p = 0.03 [95% CI -17.18, -3.53], and age significantly predicted the Frankl score, F (4, 194) = 5.17, p = 0.00 [95% CI 0.04, 0.12]. There was a significant association between parent perception of behavior and Frankl scores, F (2, 202) = 7.68, p = 0.00 [ 95% CI -0.11, -0.02]. (4) Conclusion: The results indicate that ethnicity and age play a role in successful outcomes during the dental appointment. Additionally, parent perception of their child's behavior significantly predicted the Frankl score, thus coordinating with parents during the dental appointment can be a key factor in treatment planning for productive dental visits.

Keywords: autistic disorder; behavior; pediatric dentistry.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Child
Child Behavior
Communication
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Perception

Grants and funding

This publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number D88HP20126 titled, “Postdoctoral Training in General, Pediatric and Public Health Dentistry and Dental Hygiene” as part of an award totaling $ $3,304,940 with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. This research was also funded by the Health Professions Division of Nova Southeastern University.