Determinants of Oral Health Status and Accessibility to Effective Treatment services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This review aims to explore the emerging trends in factors regarding ASD children's oral health and the barriers faced when accessing quality oral health care. It aims to focus on understanding any shifts or advancements that may have occurred over time, providing updated insights into the effectiveness of existing interventions. This literature review was conducted by searching for existing literature and studies on Determinants of Oral Health Status and Accessibility to Effective Treatment services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The search was performed through the various online databases. Although previous studies have consistently reported higher levels of caries, gingivitis and other oral health issues in children with ASD, some recent studies have reported lower caries prevalence among this population. However, it's notable that the conclusions drawn from these studies may not be entirely reliable. Consistent with conclusions drawn in similar reviews focusing on ASD children's dental care accessibility, the primary obstacles identified included challenges in locating a suitable provider, insufficient insurance coverage, parents' or carers' limited access to occupational health information, inadequate professional knowledge and training, and a failure to adequately address the child's specific needs. Communication and the attitude of the dental team can act as barriers or enablers to access. Hence, it is imperative that more wider initiatives are taken by the oral healthcare professionals as well as the concerned authorities to address the identified barriers and challenges in this regard.