Challenges in oral health care for children with autism faced by parents/caregivers: integrative review

Abstract

The objective of this integrative review is to compile and analyze, through the scientific literature of recent years, evidence of challenges related to oral health care for children with autism experienced by parents/caregivers. This is an integrative literature review developed using the Evidence-Based Practice method. The search for articles was conducted in health databases - Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature and U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine.  Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, nine articles were selected. From the interpretative analysis, four thematic categories emerged: Challenges in dental brushing for children with ASD, Challenges in dental care assistance, Fear regarding oral health care, and Oral health care strategies. It is expected that this work will stimulate the production of further research around the parent/child dyad with Autism Spectrum Disorder, considering the implications that oral health presents in their quality of life.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Parents; Caregivers; Child Health; Oral Health; Dentistry.