Abstract
Mail-in pilot-tested questionnaires were sent to a stratified random sample of 1,500 families from the North Carolina Autism
Registry. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the significance of unmet dental needs and other
predictors. Of 568 surveys returned (Response Rate = 38%), 555 were complete and usable. Sixty-five (12%) children had unmet
dental needs. Of 516 children (93%) who had been to a dentist, 11% still reported unmet needs. The main barriers were child’s
behavior, cost, and lack of insurance. The significant predictor variables of unmet needs were child’s behavior (p = 0.01), child’s dental health (p < 0.001), and caregiver’s last dental visit greater than 6 months (p = 0.002). Type of ASD did not have an effect on having unmet dental needs.
Registry. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the significance of unmet dental needs and other
predictors. Of 568 surveys returned (Response Rate = 38%), 555 were complete and usable. Sixty-five (12%) children had unmet
dental needs. Of 516 children (93%) who had been to a dentist, 11% still reported unmet needs. The main barriers were child’s
behavior, cost, and lack of insurance. The significant predictor variables of unmet needs were child’s behavior (p = 0.01), child’s dental health (p < 0.001), and caregiver’s last dental visit greater than 6 months (p = 0.002). Type of ASD did not have an effect on having unmet dental needs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1362-2
- Authors
- Bien Lai, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Michael Milano, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Michael W. Roberts, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Stephen R. Hooper, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257