117 - Dental Knowledge of Healthcare Providers Working with Children with Autism

Purpose:
Dentist have long advocated for greater recognition of the role of oral health on overall health to prevent the debilitating effects of early dental and periodontal diseases in children. While much of this research has been done on the well-child and primary care physicians, a research gap exists regarding children with autism and other healthcare providers. This study’s goal is to understand and evaluate the dental knowledge of providers working with children with autism.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey sent to the ECHO Autism Collaborative, Autism Treatment Network, and the Missouri LEND program. Participants were healthcare providers treating children with autism and were recruited through a listserv email. The survey consists of nineteen multiple-choice questions that collected information on demographics and knowledge regarding dental care.

Results:
There were 99 survey responses, mainly physicians (40%), psychologists (17%), and behavior analysts (10%). Awareness of the pediatric dentist specialist was significantly associated with highest level of education completed (p=.034). Most respondents (73%) were aware of pediatric dental specialists and most providers (78%) recognize that it is part of their job responsibility to educate parents about oral health. Dietitians and nutritionists were more likely to refer children to a dentist compared to other specialists (p < .001)

Conclusions:
A gap exists in the knowledge of healthcare providers regarding oral health when treating children with autism. Ultimately, this study reveals that most providers recognize the importance of dental care on overall health and are willing to play a role in referring children to specialists.