Revisión diagnóstica sobre el uso de las técnicas de orientación conductual para el manejo odontológico de niños con trastornos del espectro autista

Abstract

Autism is an intellectual development disorder characterized by producing disabilities in communication, social interaction, in the use of language and in the expression and understanding of abstract concepts. In oral health care, these patients are often uncooperative, have aggressive behaviors and reactions, and present problems in communicating the dental problems they may be experiencing. Therefore, some techniques have been proposed to improve the dental care for children with ASD. This study aims to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of techniques to offer dental care for children with ASD. Most of the studies agree that parental education and motivation are essential to successfully carry out any dental procedure. In addition, an interdisciplinary approach is required that involves dentists, parents, and therapists of children with ASD. All the proposed techniques have been found to be successful, naming, communication strategies, visual pedagogy, adaptation of the environment, Applied Behavior Analysis, desensitization, and advice to parents. Drug therapy, premedication, sedation, general anesthesia, and stabilization are considered valid options when the other techniques have not worked. The combination of behavioral and environmental techniques can help pediatric dentists provide optimaldental care. In conclusion, dental care for children with ASD is a complex process that requires a comprehensible interaction patient-dentist, a specialized follow-up, a whole approach, and an adequate training for dentists