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

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.