ASD and Habituation to Dental Examination

Summary

The goal of this effectiveness trial is to investigate if an integrated dental habituation programme can enhance acceptance of a clinical dental examination in children (aged 5-8 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Can a dental habituation programme performed by trained dental hygienists increase the acceptance of a clinical dental examination in children with ASD?
* Is a dental habituation programme for children with ASD more effective compared to home preparation using visual aids performed by parents/guardians in increasing the acceptance of a clinical dental examination in children with ASD?

The study participants will be randomly assigned to either the habituation group (intervention) or the home preparation group (augmented control) to investigate the effectiveness in increasing acceptance and cooperation of a clinical dental examination.

Conditions

• Oral Health Training
• Habituation
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Habituation to dental examination

The habituation will be performed by dental hygenists working in the public dental service in Rogaland or Vestland counties. The dental hygenists have completed a 2-day educational course consisting of both theoretical and practical information specifically adressing dental examination of children with autism spectrum disorder. The habituation will be done at the dental office. The intervention consists of five structured habituation sessions with the trained dental hygienist where the different elements of a clinical dental examination will be introduced stepwise in a controlled manner. Parents/guardians will also receive a "toolbox" with visual aids and a dental examination mirror with instructions for use during home preparations prior to the habituation sessions.

BEHAVIORAL

Preparations at home

Participants in the augmented control group will receive a "toolbox" with visual aids and a dental examination mirror. The parents/guardians of these participants will receive written information on how to use these tools at home to prepare for a clinical dental examination.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Oslo

  collaborator OTHER

• The public dental health service Vestland Norway

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Western Norway

  collaborator OTHER

• The public dental health service Rogaland Norway

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Oral Health Center of Expertise Rogaland, Norway

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Lene Elisabeth Myhren, PhD · Oral health centre of expertise - Rogaland, Norway

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

5 Years

Max Age

8 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-06-01

Primary Completion

2026-02-28

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Norway

Study Locations