Dental Caries and Autism: An Assessment of Prevalence and Risk Factors in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arar, Saudi Arabia

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors, which significantly impact oral health due to difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene. Understanding the prevalence of dental caries in children with ASD can guide healthcare providers in implementing better oral care practices and preventive strategies. This study investigates the prevalence of dental caries among children with ASD in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Maternal and Children Hospital in Arar, Saudi Arabia. The study included 44 children aged 4 to 17 years diagnosed with ASD by pediatricians or psychologists. A self-administered questionnaire collected data on demographics and oral hygiene behaviors, followed by oral examinations adhering to WHO criteria using the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) and deft (decayed, extracted, filled, teeth) indices. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), with statistical tests including chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression. Results: Among the 44 participants, 81.8% were male subjects and 18.2% were female subjects. Most of the sample consists of younger children in the primary dentition stage (54.5%), followed by those in the mixed dentition stage (29.5%). The prevalence of dental caries was 38.6%. Age was significantly associated with caries prevalence (p = 0.022), whereas gender, number of siblings, birth order, level of education, teeth brushing frequency, flossing frequency, type of primary health institution, frequency of dental visits, parents' education, and family income showed no significant association. The mean DMFT and deft scores were 0.64 ± 1.33 and 0.91 ± 1.78, respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of dental caries among children with ASD in Arar, Saudi Arabia, with age being a significant factor. These findings highlight the need for targeted oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits for children with ASD to manage and prevent dental caries effectively. Further research is essential to develop preventive strategies and improve access to dental care for this vulnerable population.