Relationship between Oral Health Literacy of Caregivers and the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the association between oral health literacy (OHL) of caregivers and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 children/adolescents with ASD and their parents/caregivers. Dental caries experience (DMFT/dmft) was diagnosed. Parents/caregivers answered the Brazilian Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD-30), Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire, Family Impact Scale, and a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics. Data analysis included Mann-Whitney test and Poisson Regression (p<0.0S). Results: Families with an income up to 2 minimum wages, were 2.2S times more likely to have a negative perception of their children’s OHRQoL (RR=2.2S; 95%CL 1.25–4.06) and were 2.93 times more likely to have a negative perception of the impact of their children’s oral health on the family’s quality of life (QoL), compared to those with an income over two minimum wages (RR=2.93; 9S%CL 1.7S–4.92). Caregivers with ideal OHL were 3.38 times more likely to have a negative perception of their children’s OHRQoL (RR=3.38; 9S%CL 1.66–6.89) and were 3.47 (RR=3.47; 9S%CL 1.90–6.38) times more likely to have a negative perception of the impact of their children’s oral health on the family’s QoL, compared to those with low OHL. Conclusion: Family income and parents’ OHL are determinants of parents’ negative perception of their children’s OHRQoL and the impact of their children’s oral health on the family’s QoL.