Leah I Stein Duker1, Melissa Martinez1, Christianne J Lane2, José C Polido3,4, Sharon A Cermak1,5. 1. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. 2. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. 3. Dentistry, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA. 4. Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. 5. Pediatrics at the USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sensory over-responsivity has been linked to oral care challenges in children with special healthcare needs. Parents of children with Down syndrome (cDS) have reported sensory over-responsivity in their children, but the link between this and oral care difficulties has not been explored. AIM: To investigate the relationship between sensory over-responsivity and oral care challenges in cDS. DESIGN: An online survey examined parent-reported responses describing the oral care of their cDS (5-14 years; n = 367). Children were categorized as either sensory over-responders (SORs) or sensory not over-responders (SNORs). Chi-square analyses tested associations between groups (SORs vs. SNORs) and dichotomous oral care variables. RESULTS: More parents of SOR children than of SNOR reported that child behavior (SOR:86%, SNOR:77%; p < .05) and sensory sensitivities (SOR:34%, SNOR:18%; p < .001) make dental care challenging, their child complains about ≥3 types of sensory stimuli encountered during care (SOR:39%, SNOR:28%; p = .04), their dentist is specialized in treating children with special healthcare needs (SOR:45%, SNOR:33%; p = .03), and their child requires full assistance to brush teeth (SOR:41%, SNOR:28%; p = .008). No intergroup differences were found in items examining parent-reported child oral health or care access. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of SOR children reported greater challenges than parents of SNOR children at the dentist's office and in the home, including challenging behaviors and sensory sensitivities.
BACKGROUND: Sensory over-responsivity has been linked to oral care challenges in children with special healthcare needs. Parents of children with Down syndrome (cDS) have reported sensory over-responsivity in their children, but the link between this and oral care difficulties has not been explored. AIM: To investigate the relationship between sensory over-responsivity and oral care challenges in cDS. DESIGN: An online survey examined parent-reported responses describing the oral care of their cDS (5-14 years; n = 367). Children were categorized as either sensory over-responders (SORs) or sensory not over-responders (SNORs). Chi-square analyses tested associations between groups (SORs vs. SNORs) and dichotomous oral care variables. RESULTS: More parents of SOR children than of SNOR reported that child behavior (SOR:86%, SNOR:77%; p < .05) and sensory sensitivities (SOR:34%, SNOR:18%; p < .001) make dental care challenging, their child complains about ≥3 types of sensory stimuli encountered during care (SOR:39%, SNOR:28%; p = .04), their dentist is specialized in treating children with special healthcare needs (SOR:45%, SNOR:33%; p = .03), and their child requires full assistance to brush teeth (SOR:41%, SNOR:28%; p = .008). No intergroup differences were found in items examining parent-reported child oral health or care access. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of SOR children reported greater challenges than parents of SNOR children at the dentist's office and in the home, including challenging behaviors and sensory sensitivities.
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