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Special Health Care Needs

202 - Oral Health of Autistic Children: Clinical Findings from an RCT

Friday, May 22, 2026
4:40 PM - 4:55 PM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Maile Osborne, DDS

    Pediatric Dental Resident -PGY2
    University of Southern California
    University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • JP

    Jose C. Polido, DDS, MS

    Division Head
    University of Southern California, Children's Hospital Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, California, United States

  • LS

    Lily Shkhyan, MS

    University of Southern California

  • Leah I. Stein Duker, PhD, OTR/L

    Assistant Professor
    University of Southern California
    University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • Leah I. Stein Duker, PhD, OTR/L

    Assistant Professor
    University of Southern California
    University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • AA

    Alexander Alcaraz, Pediatric Dentistry

    Program Director
    Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
    Los Angeles, California, United States

Abstract:

Purpose: Autistic children experience well-documented oral health disparities, which may be influenced by sensory sensitivities, communication differences, challenges with daily oral hygiene routines, dietary patterns, and barriers to accessing appropriate dental care. Despite recognition of these challenges, existing literature characterizing oral health in autistic children is limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous methodologies, and inconsistent use of standardized clinical measures. This gap is particularly notable given the rising prevalence of autism, currently estimated at 1 in 31 children. The purpose of this study was to examine oral health status in a large sample of autistic children using standardized clinical measures of caries experience, gingival health, and plaque accumulation.



Methods: Participants were autistic children (n=220; 6-12 years at time of enrollment) participating in a large randomized controlled trial. Widely accepted measures of oral health, including decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) scores, Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and the Oral Hygiene Index were assessed at the first of two study-related dental cleanings and used in these analyses. Parent-reported measures of toothbrushing frequency and independence-level were also collected.



Results: Final data pending



Conclusion: Using a large sample and standardized outcome measures, this study will provide a comprehensive characterization of oral health status in autistic children. Findings have the potential to inform prevention strategies, clinical care planning, and future interventions aimed at reducing oral health disparities and advancing oral health equity for this population.





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