DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Introduction: Infantile autism is a complex disorder that affects the mental and emotional condition of people causing trouble communicating, learning and socializing. It is important for the vocational preparation of the Dental Surgeon to develop research projects that in the future allow him to provide adequate care to patients suffering this disease. While there is the possibility that some cases have to be referred to a specialist for treatment, less serious or urgent cases could be treated by Dental Surgeons who have the necessary knowledge. The first relevant descriptions of what we know nowadays as Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) correspond to the publications of Leo Kanner (1943) and Hans Asperger. According to the World Health Organization, one in every 160 children has autism and its incidence increases 17 percent each year; in most cases it is a late diagnosis that is reported especially in males. In Mexico 6,000 new cases of autism are reported each year and the causes of this disease which can be detected from 18 months onwards remains unknown. Objective: To describe the most common oral diseases in children with autism of three multiple care centers in Veracruz, Mexico. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational and prospective study was conducted in patients with autism of both sexes who attend Multiple Care Centres 1, 2 and 61 of the Ministry of Education of Veracruz (known in Spanish as SEV) in Veracruz, Ver city. Those responsible for establishments agreed to participate in the research by signing a letter of acceptance. The quantitative analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, displayed in tables and graphs. Results: The sample consisted of 49 children. It was observed that children examined in the CAM-2 obtained the higher autism results with 46.35% (n = 19), followed by the CAM-61 with 31.70% (n = 13), and finally a 21.95% (n = 9), in the CAM-1. The predominance of males on the study was evident with 85.35% (n = 35) in comparison with 14.65% (n = 6) of females. Based on the results it is concluded that caries is one of the most frequent oral manifestations found in patients with autism in Multiple Care Centers 1, 2 and 61 of the SEV in Veracruz, Ver. It was determined that the rate of CLS (decayed-lost-filled tooth) was represented with 95.17% (n = 39) in decayed teeth, followed by 17.07% (n = 7) in missing teeth and a 12.20% (n = 5) in filled teeth. Conclusions: Stomatological treatment in patients with autism is very important for the dentist and for sectors of society involved with the problem. Due to it can be a determining factor for good overall health, decreasing some of the present conditions and offering a better quality of life for the patient.