337 - Caregivers' Perceptions of Hospital-Based Dental Care for Their Autistic Children

Abstract:

Purpose: Dental care for autistic children poses significant challenges for the child, caregiver, and provider. While studies have examined oral health-related quality of life from caregivers' perspectives, the perceptions of the caregivers about the care for their children remain underexplored. This quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) survey aimed to gather caregivers' feedback whose children are patients at BC Children’s Hospital.

Methods: A custom survey of multiple-choice questions and free-text responses, approved by the BCCH QA/QI group, was distributed via email and QR codes. Anonymous responses were collected through REDCap and analyzed for categorical frequency and thematic content.

Results: A total of 486 caregivers responded, with 377 completing the survey and 21 providing feedback on transitioning from the system. The average autism diagnosis age was 3.79±2.42 years, lower than the national average, likely reflecting improved diagnostic services. Most caregivers had received dental care for their children but 16% reported a lack of prior dental care. The most common barrier to care were the behavioral challenges (70%), followed by dentists' reluctance to provide care, financial constraints, and distance. Overall, 88% of caregivers were satisfied with BCCH dental services. Key suggestions included shorter appointments, the addition of sensory adaptations, enhanced staff training and better preparation for aging out of BCCH (17th birthday).

Conclusions: The findings pointed out some areas of tension. Feedback will be used to improve services at BCCH department of pediatric dentistry. An important gap that will be prioritized is the transition to a different institution or private office.

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