Comparative Analysis of Oral Health Status Between Children with ASD and Neurotypical Children in Inclusive School Settings

Abstract

Background: Oral health disparities between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their neurotypical peers have been increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern. Children with ASD face unique challenges including sensory hypersensitivities, dietary selectivity, difficulties with oral hygiene routines, and limited access to cooperative dental care, all of which may contribute to poorer oral health outcomes. Inclusive school settings, where ASD and neurotypical children study together, provide an accessible and ecologically valid environment in which to conduct comparative oral health assessments.

Objective: To compare the oral health status, including dental caries prevalence, gingival health, oral hygiene indices, and dental trauma history, between children with ASD and neurotypical children enrolled in inclusive school settings.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in inclusive schools involving 120 children aged 6–14 years: 60 children with clinically confirmed ASD diagnoses (Group I) and 60 age- and gender-matched neurotypical children (Group II). Oral health was assessed using the DMFT/dmft index for dental caries, the Gingival Index (GI), the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), and a structured dental trauma and oral habit survey. Parents completed a validated oral health behavior questionnaire.

Results: Children with ASD demonstrated significantly higher mean DMFT scores, poorer gingival health, higher OHI-S scores reflecting worse oral hygiene, and a greater prevalence of dental trauma and parafunctional oral habits compared to neurotypical children. Mean DMFT scores were 4.8 ± 1.6 in the ASD group versus 2.3 ± 1.1 in the neurotypical group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Children with ASD in inclusive school settings exhibit significantly poorer oral health across all measured parameters compared to neurotypical peers. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted school-based oral health promotion programs, caregiver education, and ASD-specific preventive dental strategies to reduce oral health inequities in this population.