376 - Video Modeling/Social Stories: Dental Desensitization for Children with Autism

Purpose: To determine if children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will model demonstrated dental behavior as presented to them in a standard video. This pilot study will assess whether the exposure to a standard video will result in the behavior during the dental appointment.

Methods: Randomized clinical intervention will include pediatric patients with ASD between ages 10 - 21 who had been prescribed desensitization. Patients will be randomly assigned to the Study Group (dental video ) or the Control Group (no intervention). All subjects will have a scheduled dental cleaning/prophylaxis appointment. The study group will view the video and social story daily for 2 weeks prior to the dental visit. A dental checklist will be used for both groups to document the amount of steps patients were able to complete during the visit. The checklist includes patient tasks such as: sitting independently in the dental chair; putting on sunglasses; opening mouth for the dentist to examine their teeth using a mirror and explorer; allowing air on teeth; using prophy angle; allowing suction for water; and fluoride application.

Results and

Conclusions: Currently pending. Data comparing the study group and control group will be evaluated using descriptive statistics, the Chi-Square test and Fisher’s Exact test.