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Improving dental visits for individuals with autism spectrum disorders through an understanding of sensory processing
Author(s) -
Kuhaneck Heather Miller,
Chisholm Elizabeth Cipes
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2012.00283.x
Subject(s) - medicine , autism spectrum disorder , sensory processing , sensory system , dental care , autism , psychiatry , family medicine , psychology , cognitive psychology
The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests that dental practices will be seeing patients with this diagnosis more frequently. Although patients with ASD have similar dental needs to other patients, the symptoms of the disorder may influence the ability of dental practitioners to provide necessary care. Dental professionals may be unaware of the difficulties with sensory processing common to patients with ASD. However, awareness of sensory processing issues and knowledge of strategies to improve the sensory experience for individuals with ASD may improve dental visits for these patients and allow for enhanced dental care provision.