RT Journal Article
T1 Dental desensitization by dentists and occupational therapists for autistic adults: A pilot study
A1 Castaño Novoa, Patricia
A1 Limeres Posse, Jacobo
A1 García Mato, Eliane
A1 Varela Aneiros, Iván
A1 Abeleira Pazos, María Teresa
A1 Diz Dios, Pedro
A1 Rivas Mundiña, Berta
K1 Autism
K1 Dentistry
K1 Dental treatment
K1 Desensitization
K1 Occupational therapist
AB The aim of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a desensitization program developed by dentists and occupational therapists, targeted at autistic adults, to encourage their cooperation in the dental setting. The study group consisted of 18 individuals with autism (10 men and 8 women, aged 18–45 years). The patients underwent a baseline examination, after which they were progressively exposed to oral examination maneuvers and ultimately dental procedures. To this end, the participants engaged in a weekly desensitization session performed by an occupational therapist and a monthly assessment session by a dentist applying the Frankl scale, for a maximum period of 30 weeks. During the first session, 44% of the participants completed all oral examination procedures, reaching 94% by the fourth visit and 100% by the seventh visit. None of the participants completed a simple dental treatment up to the third session, subsequently increasing the percentage progressively until reaching a maximum of 61% in the seventh visit. In conclusion, a dental desensitization program implemented by dentists and occupational therapists could help in performing oral examinations and simple therapeutic procedures for a considerable percentage of adults with autism, without having to resort to pharmacological behavioral control techniques
PB SAGE
SN 1362-3613
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10347/32762
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10347/32762
LA eng
NO Castaño Novoa, P., Limeres Posse, J., García Mato, E., Varela Aneiros, I., Abeleira Pazos, M. T., Diz Dios, P., & Rivas Mundiña, B. (2024). Dental desensitization by dentists and occupational therapists for autistic adults: A pilot study. Autism, 28(2), 515-519. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231173757
NO Castaño Novoa, P., Limeres Posse, J., García Mato, E., Varela Aneiros, I., Abeleira Pazos, M. T., Diz Dios, P., & Rivas Mundiña, B. (2024). Dental desensitization by dentists and occupational therapists for autistic adults: A pilot study. Autism, 28(2), 515-519. Copyright © SAGE Publications 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231173757
DS Minerva
RD 28 abr 2026