ASD and Habituation to Dental Examination

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Habituation to dental examination: The habituation will be performed by dental hygenists working in the public dental service in Rogaland or Vestland counties. The dental hygenists have completed a 2-day educational course consisting of both theoretical and practical information specifically adressing dental examination of children with autism spectrum disorder. The habituation will be done at the dental office. The intervention consists of five structured habituation sessions with the trained dental hygienist where the different elements of a clinical dental examination will be introduced stepwise in a controlled manner. Parents/guardians will also receive a "toolbox" with visual aids and a dental examination mirror with instructions for use during home preparations prior to the habituation sessions.

Preparations at home: Participants in the augmented control group will receive a "toolbox" with visual aids and a dental examination mirror. The parents/guardians of these participants will receive written information on how to use these tools at home to prepare for a clinical dental examination.

Study summary

The goal of this effectiveness trial is to investigate if an integrated dental habituation programme can enhance acceptance of a clinical dental examination in children (aged 5-8 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Can a dental habituation programme performed by trained dental hygienists increase the acceptance of a clinical dental examination in children with ASD?
* Is a dental habituation programme for children with ASD more effective compared to home preparation using visual aids performed by parents/guardians in increasing the acceptance of a clinical dental examination in children with ASD?

The study participants will be randomly assigned to either the habituation group (intervention) or the home preparation group (augmented control) to investigate the effectiveness in increasing acceptance and cooperation of a clinical dental examination.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Completion of a clinical dental examination with good cooperation — 6 weeks after the first habituation session/home preparation
  The dental examination has been divided into several steps (i.e., sitting in the chair, accepting examination with dental mirror, accepting light from the lamp, examination with probe). The primary objective will be completion of a clinical dental examination (examination with mirror and probe) with good cooperation. After 5 weeks (either with home preparation or habituation sessions) a blinded dental personell (untrained) will do a clinical dental examination (treatment as usual). Cooperation will be measured using the Frankl scale, reported by the parents/guardians for each step in the dental examination.

Trial sites (2)

Other trials for the same condition