Exploring different communication strategies for managing anxiety and behavioral challenges in autistic children during dental visits
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/HM.10.2.2024.1670-1680Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, dental anxiety, communication strategies, pediatric dentistry, behavioral managementAbstract
Objective: The objective of this study is to identify and evaluate various communication strategies that can effectively reduce anxiety and address behavioral challenges in autistic children during dental visits
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted including 150 dental practitioners experienced in treating autistic youngsters. Data were gathered on the frequency and perceived effectiveness of visual assistance, the Tell-Show-Do method, positive reinforcement, and sensory accommodations via a structured questionnaire. Practitioners evaluated the efficacy of each technique in alleviating anxiety and addressing related issues. The correlations among strategy utilization, its efficacy, and observed results were evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests and Pearson correlation analysis.
Results: The most commonly utilized and highest-rated interventions, with a mean efficacy score of 4.2 on a 5-point scale, were visual supports and the Tell-Show-Do strategy. Statistical research found significant associations between the implementation of these measures and observed reductions in anxiety and behavioral problems. Moderate efficacy of positive reinforcement and sensory adjustments in facilitating cooperation among autistic children was also noted.
conclusion: The findings indicate that children with autism necessitate visual aids and the use of the Tell-Show-Do method during dental appointments to alleviate anxiety and enhance collaboration. We recommend that dental practitioners implement a multimodal strategy utilizing various tactics, as a singular intervention may be inadequate for assisting autistic children in dental environments.
Downloads
References
Son, G., Oh, S., Lee, J., Jun, S., Kim, J., Kim, J., Lee, J., Han, M. and Shin, J., 2024. Trends in behavioral management techniques for dental treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorder: a 10-year retrospective analysis. Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 24(3), p.187.
da Silva Moro, J., Rodrigues, T.D., Kammer, P.V., de Camargo, A.R. and Bolan, M., 2024. Efficacy of the video modeling technique as a facilitator of non-invasive dental care in autistic children: Randomized clinical trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(2), pp.501-508.
Son, G., Oh, S., Lee, J., Jun, S., Kim, J., Kim, J., Lee, J., Han, M. and Shin, J., 2024. Trends in behavioral management techniques for dental treatment of patients with autism spectrum disorder: a 10-year retrospective analysis. Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 24(3), p.187.
Omer, R., Mohamed, N. and Peck, C., 2024. Oral health practices and challenges facing parents of autistic children in the Western Cape (2021). Pediatric Dental Journal.
Bagattoni, S.; D’Alessandro, G.; Sadotti, A.; Alkhamis, N.; Piana, G. Effects of audiovisual distraction in children with special healthcare needs during dental restorations: A randomized crossover clinical trial. Int. J. Paediatr. Dent. 2018, 28, 111–120.
Fakhruddin, K.S.; El Batawi, H.Y. Effectiveness of audiovisual distraction in behavior modification during dental caries assessment and sealant placement in children with autism spectrum disorder. Dent. Res. J. 2017, 14, 177–182.
Sathyaprasad, S. and Abraham, A.E., Autism Spectrum Disorder Child in Pediatric Dentistry-An Overview.
Isong, I.A.; Rao, S.R.; Holifield, C.; Iannuzzi, D.; Hanson, E.; Ware, J.; Nelson, L.P. Addressing Dental Fear in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Clin. Pediatr. 2014, 53, 230–237.
Suresh, L.R.; George, C. Virtual Reality Distraction on Dental Anxiety and Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J. Int. Dent. Med. Res. 2019, 12, 1004–1010.
Sahebalam, R.; Rafieinezhad, R.; Boskabad, M. Comparison of the Efficacy of Jilo Animation Approach versus Conventional Tell-Show-Do (TSD) Technique on Cooperation and Anxiety Levels of Children during Dental Practice: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials. J. Dent. 2020, 21, 284–291.
De Menezes Abreu, D.M.; Leal, S.C.; Mulder, J. FRENCKENJE Dental anxiety in 6–7-year-old children treated in accordance with conventional restorative treatment, ART and ultra-conservative treatment protocols. Acta Odontol. Scand. 2011, 69, 410–416.
Riba, H.; Al-Zahrani, S.; Al-Buqmi, N.; Al-Jundi, A. A Review of Behavior Evaluation Scales in Pediatric Dentistry and Suggested Modification to the Frankl Scale. EC Dent. Sci. 2017, 16, 269–275
Pedersen, L.K.; Rahbek, O.; Nikolajsen, L.; Møller-Madsen, B. The revised FLACC score: Reliability and validation for pain assessment in children with cerebral palsy. Scand. J. Pain. 2015, 9, 57–61
Hicks, C.L.; von Baeyer, C.L.; Spafford, P.A.; van Korlaar, I.; Goodenough, B. The Faces Pain Scale-Revised: Toward a common metric in pediatric pain measurement. Pain 2001, 93, 173–183.
Garra, G.; Singer, A.J.; Taira, B.R.; Chohan, J.; Cardoz, H.; Chisena, E.; Thode, H.C., Jr. Validation of the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale in Pediatric Emergency Department Patients. Acad. Emerg. Med. 2010, 17, 50–54.
Gazzaz, A.Z.; Carpiano, R.M.; Laronde, D.M.; Aleksejuniene, J. Parental psychosocial factors, unmet dental needs and preventive dental care in children and adolescents with special health care needs: A stress process model. BMC Oral Health 2022, 22, 282.
Lyons, R.A. Understanding basic behavioral support techniques as an alternative to sedation and anesthesia. Spec. Care Dent. 2009, 29, 39–50.
Prabhu, N.T.; Nunn, J.H.; Evans, D.J.; Girdler, N.M. Access to dental care-parents’ and caregivers’ views on dental treatment services for people with disabilities. Spec. Care Dent. 2010, 30, 35–45.
Varela, I.; Fernández-Feijoo, J.; García, E.; Diniz-Freitas, M.; Martínez, I.; Roca, J.; Diz, P.; Limeres, J. Development of a new tool for predicting the behavior of individuals with intellectual disability in the dental office: A pilot study. Disabil. Health J. 2022, 15, 101229.
AlMogbel, A.A.; Albarrak, M.I.; AlNumair, S.F. Ozone Therapy in the Management and Prevention of Caries. Cureus 2023, 15, e37510.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Author
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
