DENTAL CARIES STATUS IN A SAMPLE OF SUDANESE CHILDREN WITH AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER

Background: Autistic spectrum disorder is long life neuro-developmental disorder. The objectives of this study were to describe caries status for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to provide baseline data to facilitate future planning of dental services to those children. Material and Method: A descriptive cross sectional study in Khartoum area for 43 autistic children attending 8 autistic centres. Data was collected based oncaries assessment form, which consists of demographic data of the child and intra oral examination to detect visible caries using the dmft and DMFT scores. The response rate was 45 out of 65. Result: Male to female ratio of autistic children sample in this study was 3:1. The mean DMFT/ dmft of the caries status were (0.83) and (2.40) respectively. The mean DMFT score (1.0) in boys and (0.33) in girls, it was statistically significant with age (p - 0.004) in boys. The hight percentage (74.1%) of decayed teeth was found in the mixed dentition age group (7-11 years) and no filled teeth was reported in this age group. Conclusion: Although the autistic children had low level of DMFT/dmft compared to WHO classification, they had extensive unmet needs for dental treatment.