Castaño Novoa, PatriciaLimeres Posse, JacoboGarcía Mato, ElianeVarela Aneiros, IvánAbeleira Pazos, María TeresaDiz Dios, PedroRivas Mundiña, Berta2024-02-122024-02-122023Castaño 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/10.1177/136236132311737571362-3613http://hdl.handle.net/10347/32762Castaño 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/10.1177/13623613231173757The 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 techniquesengCopyright © 2024, © SAGE PublicationsAutismDentistryDental treatmentDesensitizationOccupational therapistjournal article10.1177/136236132311737571461-7005open access