Oral Healthcare Practices and Awareness among the Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder Children: A Multi-Center Study
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
Statistical Analysis
3. Results
4. Discussion
Limitations and Strengths of the Study
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Questionnaire | Frequency | Percentage (%) |
---|---|---|
Who is answering the questionnaire? | ||
Father | 77 | 37.40 |
Mother | 129 | 62.60 |
What is the level of education of the parent? | ||
High school or less | 77 | 37.40 |
Bachelors | 83 | 40.30 |
Masters | 22 | 10.70 |
Doctorate | 18 | 8.70 |
Illiterate | 6 | 2.90 |
What is the occupation of the parent? | ||
Worker | 21 | 10.20 |
Employee | 112 | 54.40 |
Businessman | 31 | 15.00 |
Housewife | 42 | 20.40 |
What is the birth order of the autistic child? | ||
First | 42 | 20.40 |
Second | 65 | 31.60 |
Third | 50 | 24.30 |
Fourth or more | 49 | 23.80 |
Number of children in the family? | ||
1 | 18 | 8.70 |
2 | 40 | 19.40 |
3 | 54 | 26.20 |
4 or more | 94 | 45.60 |
Questionnaire | Frequency | Percentage (%) |
---|---|---|
Does the health of the oral cavity affect the overall health of the child? | ||
Yes | 186 | 90.30 |
No | 20 | 9.70 |
Is the maintenance/treatment of deciduous teeth important? | ||
Yes | 171 | 83.00 |
No | 35 | 17.00 |
When should you consult a dentist? | ||
Once in 3 months | 26 | 12.60 |
Once in 6 months | 79 | 38.3 |
Once a year | 35 | 17.00 |
When in pain | 66 | 32.00 |
If your child complains of tooth pain, whom do you consult? | ||
General Physician | 37 | 18.00 |
General Dentist | 95 | 46.10 |
Pediatric Dentist | 74 | 35.90 |
Do you want to have your child’s carious tooth filled? | ||
Yes | 186 | 90.30 |
No | 20 | 9.70 |
At what age should you visit a dentist for the 1st time? | ||
At 6 months | 45 | 21.80 |
Within 1 year | 80 | 38.80 |
When there is a problem | 81 | 39.30 |
Which of the following are harmful oral habits? | ||
Clenching (bruxism) | 41 | 19.90 |
Thumb-sucking | 28 | 13.60 |
Mouth breathing | 26 | 12.60 |
Tongue-thrusting | 17 | 8.30 |
All of the above | 94 | 45.60 |
Do you visit the dentist periodically for a checkup? | ||
Yes | 115 | 55.80 |
No | 91 | 44.20 |
Do you follow up with the physician for a general checkup? | ||
Yes | 159 | 77.20 |
No | 47 | 22.80 |
Questionnaire | Frequency | Percentage (%) |
---|---|---|
What is the main tool used for the oral hygiene of your child? | ||
Toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste | 96 | 46.60 |
Toothbrush and non-fluoridated toothpaste | 88 | 42.70 |
Toothbrush alone | 22 | 10.70 |
What is the frequency of tooth brushing? | ||
Once a day | 78 | 37.90 |
Twice a day | 104 | 50.50 |
Once a week | 24 | 11.70 |
Supplemental or additional oral hygiene aids? | ||
Mouthwash | 37 | 18.00 |
Tongue cleaner | 70 | 34.00 |
Floss | 46 | 22.30 |
None | 53 | 25.70 |
Role of parents in the supervision of oral hygiene? | ||
Parents assist | 181 | 87.90 |
Parents neither assist nor watch | 25 | 12.10 |
What type of toothbrush is used for autistic children? | ||
Regular | 127 | 61.70 |
Modified | 58 | 28.20 |
Electronic | 21 | 10.20 |
Type of dental treatment received? | ||
Only checkup done | 80 | 38.80 |
Treatment done | 82 | 39.80 |
None | 44 | 21.40 |
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Alqahtani, A.S.; Gufran, K.; Alsakr, A.; Alnufaiy, B.; Al Ghwainem, A.; Bin Khames, Y.M.; Althani, R.A.; Almuthaybiri, S.M. Oral Healthcare Practices and Awareness among the Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder Children: A Multi-Center Study. Children 2023, 10, 978. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060978
Alqahtani AS, Gufran K, Alsakr A, Alnufaiy B, Al Ghwainem A, Bin Khames YM, Althani RA, Almuthaybiri SM. Oral Healthcare Practices and Awareness among the Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder Children: A Multi-Center Study. Children. 2023; 10(6):978. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060978
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlqahtani, Abdullah Saad, Khalid Gufran, Abdulaziz Alsakr, Banna Alnufaiy, Abdulhamid Al Ghwainem, Yasser Mohammed Bin Khames, Rakan Abdullah Althani, and Sultan Marshad Almuthaybiri. 2023. "Oral Healthcare Practices and Awareness among the Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder Children: A Multi-Center Study" Children 10, no. 6: 978. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060978