Dental Visit Experiences: Anxiety and Social Communication Difficulties During Dental Visits Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

This cross-sectional study investigated associations between anxiety, social communication difficulties and behaviour during dental visits in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children (8-18 years) with ASD attending a specialised dental care centre were invited to participate. Prior to the visit, children and their parents completed questionnaires assessing dental anxiety (Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale, CFSS-DS) and autism-specific anxiety (Anxiety Scale for children with ASD, ASC-ASD). Parents also provided demographic data and completed the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). After the visit, dentists rated each child’s behaviour using Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale. Spearman correlation assessed relationships between variables (α=5%). Logistic regression explored associations between behaviour and child-related factors. 41 children (mean age 11.2 years) participated. CFSS-DS and ASC-ASD were significantly positively correlated (p < .05, correlations .234 - .705). Parent reported data showed that ASD + ADHD diagnosis, higher language comprehension, and longer brushing duration were associated with reduce negative behaviour, while special education attendance was associated with increased negative behaviour. Child-reported data indicated that higher language comprehension, electric toothbrush use, and longer brushing duration were associated with reduced negative behaviour while, higher CFSS-DS scores predicted increased negative behaviour. Greater social communication difficulties and anxiety, as reported by parents, and higher dental anxiety reported by children, were significantly associated with increased likelihood of negative behaviour during dental visits in children with ASD.