Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence has escalated in the last few decades; it is common to have children with ASD seek dental treatment. Their unique behavior patterns prevent them from attending a regular dental setting and receiving proper oral hygiene instructions (OHI); therefore, culturally adapted dental visual aids are necessary to teach them proper OHI. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of culturally adapted dental visual aids in improving oral hygiene (OH) status in children with ASD. A blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial with sixty-four children with ASD were randomly divided into two groups according to the type of dental visual aids given to them. The experimental group received culturally adapted dental visual aids developed specifically for the study, and the control group received regular dental visual aids. OH status was assessed before and after using the dental visual aids, and data were processed using SPSS version 25.0. OH status improved significantly in both groups after using the dental visual aids (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), respectively. The experimental group showed significant improvement in comparison to the control group in OH status (p = 0.030). Both dental visual aids showed effectiveness in improving OH status in children with ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the dental visual aids in behavior management of children with ASD. Electronic search for English scientific papers was accomplished using ScienceDirect, Wiley, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar and PubMed. Search terms were “Autism Spectrum Disorder,” “Dental visual aids,” “Dental visual guide,” and “Dental audiovisual modeling.” Full text and their references were reviewed and evaluated. Due to its effectiveness in increasing cooperation, modeling behavior and reducing anxiety, visual aids are effective during dental treatment of children with ASD compared to Tell–Show–Do.

ObjectivesThe relation between haemoglobin levels and the prevalence of dental caries is well-recognized; however, relatively little information is available regarding the decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) index in relation to haemoglobin levels in KSA. The objective of this study was to assess the association between the haemoglobin levels and the dmft index in a random sample of paediatric dental patients who visit a teaching hospital in KSA.MethodsThis 11-month cross sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, KSA from May 2014 to April 2015. A total of 160 children with dental caries were divided into 2 groups: non-anaemic and anaemic groups. The prevalence of caries was measured using the dmft index and was compared between the two groups. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square tests at a 0.05% significance level.ResultsOne hundred-sixty subjects were recruited in this study. Children with lower mean haemoglobin levels (anaemic children) had significantly higher mean dmft indices (11.20 ± 2.6) than the non-anaemic children (9.66 ± 1.2%, p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study suggests that children with lower haemoglobin levels may be prone to develop dental caries. This study emphasizes the need for public health campaigns regarding oral hygiene and the prevention and treatment of anaemia

This investigation aimed to assess the shear bond strength and fluoride-releasing capabilities of Clearfil Universal Bond Quick (Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Forty-four extracted primary molars were divided into two groups, and the enamel substrate was prepared for evaluating shear bond strength. Scotchbond (3M ESPE) and Clearfil UBQ were used to bond composite-to-enamel substrates in each group (n = 22). Shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing device and compared. Sixteen discs (6 mm diameter and 3 mm thickness) were fabricated from each Clearfil UBQ, Fuji IX, and Fuji II LC. Over the course of 30 days, each materials’ fluoride release was examined and compared using ion analysis. Results revealed that Clearfil UBQ had statistically similar shear bond strength to Scotchbond. Between the three materials, Clearfil UBQ had the lowest fluoride release at baseline (0.11 ± 0.25) and the lowest cumulative fluoride release (0.12–0.27 ppm) over 30 days. Fuji IX had the highest fluoride release at baseline (19.38 ± 2.50) and cumulatively (40.87 ± 4.03 ppm), followed by Fuji II LC. We conclude that Clearfil UBQ and Scotchbond showed comparable bond strengths to the enamel. Fluoride release was seen in Clearfil UBQ in the initial two days of the 30-day period. The amount of fluoride release was significantly less than with glass ionomer cements.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence has risen dramatically in recent decades; it is now common for children with ASD to seek dental care. Because their distinct behavioral patterns prevent them from receiving dental care in a traditional dental clinic, structured dental visual aids are required to help prepare them for their dental appointment. This study aimed to test the effect of “culturally adapted dental visual aids” in decreasing anxiety levels during dental visits in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial was performed. Sixty-four children with ASD ages 6–12 years were assigned randomly into test and control groups based on the type of dental visual aids they received. The test group received “culturally adapted dental visual aids” created especially for the study, and the control group received “regular dental visual aids”. Anxiety levels were assessed before and after using both dental visual aids. All data were processed using SPSS version 25.0. The test group had a significant decrease in anxiety levels compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The “culturally adapted dental visual aids” have effectively reduced anxiety levels in children with ASD during dental visits.