Oral health status and parental perception of child oral health related quality-of-life of children with autism in Bangalore, India

Abstract

Background: Children with autism present with the physical-mental impairments and oral problems, which may have an impact on their quality-of-life (QoL). The aim of the following study was to assess oral health status and parental perception of child oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children with autism. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4-15-year-old children with autism (n = 135) and children without autism (n = 135). Oral health status was evaluated using Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), its Miglani's modification for deciduous teeth, Decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) and Decayed, missing and filled surface (DMFS/dmfs) indices. Parents answered the Parental-Caregivers Perception Questionnaire for assessing children's OHRQoL. Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed. Results: Mean OHI-S, DMFT, dmft scores were significantly high among children with autism (2.07 +- 0.83; 0.86 +- 1.22, 1.40 +- 2.48) when compared to children without autism (0.46 +- 0.58; 0.46 +- 1.06, 0.59 +- 1.28) respectively. Out of all domains of OHRQoL, mean score of functional limitations related to teeth problem was significantly higher among children with autism (8.87 +- 5.65) as compared to non-autism group (6.66 +- 4.97). Conclusion: Functional limitations may have a negative impact on oral health status that might influence OHRQoL.