ORAL HEALTH HABITS ASSESSMENT OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN: A SURVEY OF PARENTS WITH MOROCCAN CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

In order to determine the frequency, the means used and the people involved in oral hygiene in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 152 parents of children with ASD between 9 and 14 years old and attending three associations of children with specific mental needs in Casablanca as well as the Center for Consultations and Dental Treatments (CDCT) in Casablanca. The main results of the present study showed a male predominance of 73.7%; an average socio-economic level at 55.3%; institutionalization of 92.1% of children; use of cariogenic food reinforcers in 57.2% of cases, and tooth brushing for 80.3% of the children (supervised or carried out by a parent or educator in most cases). As for the frequency of brushing, it was only once a day in 45.9% of the children, and this before sleeping for 87.7% of them. The use of toothpaste was noted in 97.5% of children, with an irregular method in 51.8%. The use of oral hygiene adjutants was noted in 10.7% (the adjuvant being mouthwash). A visit to the dentist was made for 59.9% of the sample less than 6 months before the date of the interrogation. 51.6% of the children were referred by their attending physician. Most of the results of the present study agree with those found in the literature, with some differences which remain specific to the population studied. Also, measures must be introduced for the development of an oral prevention program adapted to the Moroccan autistic child, intended both for the child but also for the people who take care of him, with in-depth training in benefit of oral health professionals.