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Objectives <p>Only a little is known about the tooth brushing behaviors and oral health care of people with early childhood autism (P-EA). To remedy this, a survey was carried out with P-EA of all ages.</p> Materials and methods <p>In summer 2021, an online survey questionnaire with 124 questions, addressed only at caregivers of P-EA, was sent to all members of the Bundesverband Autismus Deutschland e.V. Our present study evaluated the 20 survey questions related to dental self-care.</p> Results <p>In total, 130 questionnaires were evaluated. The mean age of the P-EA was 22.7 years (min: 3y; max: 60y; SD ± 14.1y). Only 17.7% (<i>n</i> =23) of the P-EA were female, while 82.3%(<i>n</i> =107) were male. Overall, 54.6% (<i>n</i> = 71) of P-EA are always actively assisted in tooth brushing. Although 57.7% (<i>n</i> = 75) of P-EA brushed teeth twice daily, 39.2% brushed for one to two minutes (<i>n</i> = 51). P-EA younger than 18 years old selected toothpaste primarily for taste reasons (32.7%;<i>n</i> = 18). Only 9.3% (<i>n</i> = 7) of adult P-EA selected toothpaste because of the fluoride content. Manual toothbrushes were preferred by 40.8% (<i>n</i> = 53) of the P-EA, and electric toothbrushes by 34.6% (<i>n</i> = 45). Almost three quarters (71.5%;<i>n</i> = 93) did not use additional dental care implements. The same number (75.4%;<i>n</i> = 98) of P-EA had not practiced supervised brushing in a dental office.</p> Conclusions/Clinical relevance <p>Active support in dental self-care is crucial for a majority of the P-EA in Germany, regardless of their age. Professional support needs to be fundamentally improved. Clinical concepts for practical instruction in dental hygiene should be developed for P-EA.</p>

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Tooth brushing behavior and oral health care of people with early childhood autism in Germany

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月5日

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  • H. Kraus,
  • A. G. Schulte,
  • O. Fricke,
  • Peter Schmidt

摘要

Objectives

Only a little is known about the tooth brushing behaviors and oral health care of people with early childhood autism (P-EA). To remedy this, a survey was carried out with P-EA of all ages.

Materials and methods

In summer 2021, an online survey questionnaire with 124 questions, addressed only at caregivers of P-EA, was sent to all members of the Bundesverband Autismus Deutschland e.V. Our present study evaluated the 20 survey questions related to dental self-care.

Results

In total, 130 questionnaires were evaluated. The mean age of the P-EA was 22.7 years (min: 3y; max: 60y; SD ± 14.1y). Only 17.7% (n =23) of the P-EA were female, while 82.3%(n =107) were male. Overall, 54.6% (n = 71) of P-EA are always actively assisted in tooth brushing. Although 57.7% (n = 75) of P-EA brushed teeth twice daily, 39.2% brushed for one to two minutes (n = 51). P-EA younger than 18 years old selected toothpaste primarily for taste reasons (32.7%;n = 18). Only 9.3% (n = 7) of adult P-EA selected toothpaste because of the fluoride content. Manual toothbrushes were preferred by 40.8% (n = 53) of the P-EA, and electric toothbrushes by 34.6% (n = 45). Almost three quarters (71.5%;n = 93) did not use additional dental care implements. The same number (75.4%;n = 98) of P-EA had not practiced supervised brushing in a dental office.

Conclusions/Clinical relevance

Active support in dental self-care is crucial for a majority of the P-EA in Germany, regardless of their age. Professional support needs to be fundamentally improved. Clinical concepts for practical instruction in dental hygiene should be developed for P-EA.