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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2015-09, Vol.45 (9), p.2876-2888
Main Authors: Cermak, Sharon A., Stein Duker, Leah I., Williams, Marian E., Dawson, Michael E., Lane, Christianne J., Polido, José C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Anxiety - prevention & control
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder - complications
Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology
Autistic children
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Care and treatment
Child
Child and School Psychology
Child Health
Children
Complications and side effects
Demographic aspects
Dental Care - methods
Dental Care - psychology
Dental Evaluation
Dental Health
Dentistry
Feasibility Studies
Female
Health aspects
Humans
Male
Neurosciences
Oral hygiene
Oral Hygiene - methods
Oral Hygiene - psychology
Original Paper
Pain
Pediatrics
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Physiological aspects
Pilot Projects
Psychology
Public Health
Special Needs Students
Stomatognathic Diseases - complications
Stomatognathic Diseases - prevention & control
Stomatognathic Diseases - therapy
Stress Management
Stress Variables
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0162-3257
1573-3432
DOI:10.1007/s10803-015-2450-5