ASD and Habituation to Dental Examination
Evaluating an Integrated Habituation Programme for Enhancing Dental Examination Acceptance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Effectiveness Trial
Oral Health Center of Expertise Rogaland, Norway
225 participants
Jun 1, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
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
Inclusion Criteria4
- Children living in the counties Rogaland or Vestland, Norway
- English or Norwegian speaking
- Have not been able to complete a clinical dental examination at the local dental clinic
- Has an autism spectrum diagnosis (reported by parents/guardians)
Exclusion Criteria4
- Children not living in the counties Rogaland or Vestland, Norway
- Does not speak English or Norwegian
- Have completed a dental examination at the local dental clinic
- Have other severe developmental cognitive disabilites (in addition to an autism spectrum diagnosis) (reported by parents/guardians)
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Interventions
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.
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.
Locations(2)
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NCT06933342