Objectives: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-affected children attending autistic centers in 2 major cities in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study, including ASD centers and schools (37 centers) in Makkah and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was conducted between January and March 2020. Data were collected from records and parents of children with ASD using a questionnaire on sociodemographic, family history, consanguinity, severity, and maternal risk factors. Results: All centers in Makkah and Jeddah participated, with a total of 1,023 ASD children. The prevalence of ASD was 2.618 per 1,000 children for Jeddah, 3.68 per 1,000 children for Makkah and 2.81 per 1,000 children for both Jeddah and Makkah. There was no statistically significant relationship between the severity of ASD and sociodemographic, family and maternal risk factors. However, there was statistically significant relationship between severe ASD and ASD family history ( p =0.029, OR: 3.46 and 95% CI 1.14 to 10.5). Conclusions: The prevalence of ASD in Makkah and Jeddah was lower than the global prevalence of ASD. Individuals with a family history of ASD were more likely to have more severe ASD.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence has escalated in the last few decades; it is common to have children with ASD seek dental treatment. Their unique behavior patterns prevent them from attending a regular dental setting and receiving proper oral hygiene instructions (OHI); therefore, culturally adapted dental visual aids are necessary to teach them proper OHI. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of culturally adapted dental visual aids in improving oral hygiene (OH) status in children with ASD. A blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial with sixty-four children with ASD were randomly divided into two groups according to the type of dental visual aids given to them. The experimental group received culturally adapted dental visual aids developed specifically for the study, and the control group received regular dental visual aids. OH status was assessed before and after using the dental visual aids, and data were processed using SPSS version 25.0. OH status improved significantly in both groups after using the dental visual aids (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), respectively. The experimental group showed significant improvement in comparison to the control group in OH status (p = 0.030). Both dental visual aids showed effectiveness in improving OH status in children with ASD.

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence has risen dramatically in recent decades; it is now common for children with ASD to seek dental care. Because their distinct behavioral patterns prevent them from receiving dental care in a traditional dental clinic, structured dental visual aids are required to help prepare them for their dental appointment. This study aimed to test the effect of “culturally adapted dental visual aids” in decreasing anxiety levels during dental visits in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial was performed. Sixty-four children with ASD ages 6–12 years were assigned randomly into test and control groups based on the type of dental visual aids they received. The test group received “culturally adapted dental visual aids” created especially for the study, and the control group received “regular dental visual aids”. Anxiety levels were assessed before and after using both dental visual aids. All data were processed using SPSS version 25.0. The test group had a significant decrease in anxiety levels compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The “culturally adapted dental visual aids” have effectively reduced anxiety levels in children with ASD during dental visits.

Objective:To determine the characteristics of primary dentition occlusion among Saudi preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and compare it with Saudi preschool children without ASD. Methods:This study was conducted on a randomly selected sample of 3-6 year old Saudi preschool children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The sample consisted of a study group (SG) of 150 children with ASD and a control group (CG) of age-and gender-matched 150 children without ASD. Clinical examinations to determine primary molar relationship, primary canine relationship, overbite, overjet, posterior crossbite and scissors bite were performed at ASD centers and kindergartens.Results: Significant differences were found in the occlusal characteristics of the primary dentition between the SG and CG (p<0.05). Most children in the SG exhibited a distal step molar relationship (51.3%), a class II canine relationship (56.7%), and increased overjet and overbite. Most of the CG children exhibited a flush terminal molar relationship (83.3%), a class I canine relationship (77.3%), normal overbite and overjet. The prevalence of posterior crossbite was significantly higher in the SG than the CG (p=0.012). Conclusion:The data revealed that the prevalence of malocclusion was higher in Saudi preschool children with ASD than in non-ASD preschool children.Citation: Aljubour AA, Al-Sehaibany FS. Characteristics of primary dentition occlusion among preschool children with autism spectrum disorder.Citation: Aljubour AA, Al-Sehaibany FS. Characteristics of primary dentition occlusion among preschool children with autism spectrum disorder.