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Correlates of oral health fatalism in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder
Author(s) -
Hammersmith Kimberly J.,
Harlan Taylor A.,
Fenning Rachel M.,
Chan James,
Stephenson Kevin G.,
Macklin Eric A.,
Casamassimo Paul S.,
Townsend Janice A.,
Butter Eric M.,
SteinbergEpstein Robin B.
Publication year - 2021
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/scd.12564
Subject(s) - medicine , autism spectrum disorder , odds ratio , fatalism , oral hygiene , oral health , ethnic group , confidence interval , psychosocial , young adult , clinical psychology , autism , psychiatry , gerontology , family medicine , dentistry , philosophy , theology , sociology , anthropology
Aims To study correlates of oral health fatalism (OHF) in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods and results This exploratory analysis used baseline data from 118 Medicaid‐eligible families of children with ASD in a multi‐site randomized clinical trial of a parent training intervention supporting home oral hygiene and dental visits. About half (46%) of caregivers agreed with the statement “most children eventually develop dental cavities,” endorsing OHF. Hispanic caregivers more strongly endorsed OHF than non‐Hispanics (cumulative odds ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2‐4.7, P = .014). Caregivers living alone with children less strongly endorsed OHF than caregivers cohabitating with other adults (cumulative odds ratio = 0.39, 95% CI 0.17‐0.86, P = .019). Multivariable analysis maintained significance of ethnicity ( P = .030) but not living situation ( P = .052). Additional analyses included demographics, parenting beliefs, and children's oral hygiene and oral health status. Conclusion About half the caregivers endorsed OHF, with Hispanic caregivers more strongly endorsing OHF. OHF was not significantly associated with oral health behaviors or status, consistent with emerging literature suggesting fatalism is not necessarily linked to health behavior. Further exploration of OHF correlates in families of children with ASD is needed; ethnicity, living situation, child age, and caries status are of interest.