Stomatology ›› 2023, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (12): 1081-1085.doi: 10.13591/j.cnki.kqyx.2023.12.005

• Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Investigation and analysis of dental caries and its influencing factors in 270 5-year-old children with autism

HOU Liyuan1,LIU Mengjia2,GONG Wen3,WANG Jiaying4,XIN Bingchang4,TENG Nana4,ZHANG Jin4(),SUN Degang4()   

  1. School of Stomatology of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266001, China
  • Revised:2023-08-18 Online:2023-12-28 Published:2023-12-28
  • Contact: ZHANG Jin,SUN Degang E-mail:zhangjin_endod@163.com;sundegang168@sina.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the prevalence of dental caries in preschool children with autism and its influencing factors, so as to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of dental caries in children. Methods According to the standards and methods of the 4th National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey, a total of 270 5-year-old children with autism in a special education school in Qingdao were investigated for dental caries. A questionnaire survey was also conducted among the parents, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed. Results The caries prevalence rate of primary teeth in 5-year-old autistic children was 64.81%. The mean DMFT was 3.09±3.41, and the caries filling ratio was 27.42%. Single-factor analysis showed that all factors in the questionnaire had no significant effect on the caries prevalence(dmft)(P>0.05). Furthermore, the relationship between the influencing factors and the caries rate(dt)was analyzed. In children who had shorter brushing time and more frequency of eating snacks and drinking beverages at night, the caries rate(dt)was higher(P<0.05). Factors related to dental filling rate(ft)due to caries were(P<0.05):daily brushing times, the total time of brushing teeth, whether parents assisted in brushing teeth, gargling or brushing teeth after meals. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis with caries prevalence(dt)as the dependent variable showed that the total time of daily tooth brushing less than 1 minute and frequently eating snacks and drinking beverages at night after tooth brushing/before bedtime were the risk factors for primary teeth caries in children with autism(P<0.05). Conclusion The caries rate of primary teeth in 5-year-old autistic children is high, so more attention should be paid to enough brushing time every day and correcting the habit of eating snacks before bedtime. Dental caries may be an important reason to improve the oral health habits of children with autism, and oral health guidance should be strengthened in the dental visit process.

Key words: autism, children, caries, primary tooth, risk factor, epidemiological investigation

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