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ERIC Number: EJ1411210
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Dental Desensitization by Dentists and Occupational Therapists for Autistic Adults: A Pilot Study
Patricia Castaño Novoa; Jacobo Limeres Posse; Eliane García Mato; Iván Varela Aneiros; María Teresa Abeleira Pazos; Pedro Diz Dios; Berta Rivas Mundiña
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v28 n2 p515-519 2024
The aim of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a desensitization program developed by dentists and occupational therapists, targeted at autistic adults, to encourage their cooperation in the dental setting. The study group consisted of 18 individuals with autism (10 men and 8 women, aged 18 - 45 years). The patients underwent a baseline examination, after which they were progressively exposed to oral examination maneuvers and ultimately dental procedures. To this end, the participants engaged in a weekly desensitization session performed by an occupational therapist and a monthly assessment session by a dentist applying the Frankl scale, for a maximum period of 30 weeks. During the first session, 44% of the participants completed all oral examination procedures, reaching 94% by the fourth visit and 100% by the seventh visit. None of the participants completed a simple dental treatment up to the third session, subsequently increasing the percentage progressively until reaching a maximum of 61% in the seventh visit. In conclusion, a dental desensitization program implemented by dentists and occupational therapists could help in performing oral examinations and simple therapeutic procedures for a considerable percentage of adults with autism, without having to resort to pharmacological behavioral control techniques.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2993
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A