Efficacy of the Video Modeling Technique as a Facilitator of Non-invasive Dental Care in Autistic Children: Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study aims to evaluate the video modeling technique during the dental appointment. A blinded randomized clinical trial was composed of 2 groups, consisting of 20 autistic children (4 to 12 years) in each group: control (did not watch the video before the consultation) and intervention (watched the video before the consultation). The primary outcome was the mean number of visits to perform a dental appointment. The number of consultations was analyzed by T-test or Mann-Whitney test. The results showed that the mean number of consultations in the intervention group was 1.5 (± 1.53) and in the control group 2 (± 1.77) (p ≤ 0.05). The video modeling technique can be effective in minimizing the number of dental consultations in autistic children.

Fear, changes in routine and dental care for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey with Brazilian parents.

AIMS: This study aimed to report the perception of parents of children/adolescents with autism regarding the parents' fear of the pandemic by COVID-19. Also, to report children's fear about the use of individual protective equipment (IPE) in dental appointments, and the impact on the daily routine during the pandemic. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study through an open online survey was addressed to parents of children/adolescents autistic, aged between 3 and 18 years. The questionnaire had questions regarding the parents' fear of the COVID-19 pandemic, the parents' perception about the children/adolescents' fear of the use of IPEs at dental care, and the impact of the daily routine during the pandemic and social impact after the pandemic. Parents' reports on the degree of ASD (mild, moderate, and severe) of the child/adolescent. A total of 1001 responses were obtained. 50.35% of parents had high fear of the pandemic by COVID-19, 59.34% believe that children/teenagers will be afraid of the dentist's IPE and 61.64% responded that the COVID-19 pandemic had a high impact on the daily routine of children/adolescents with ASD. CONCLUSIONS: Most parents reported fear of the pandemic by COVID-19, that children/adolescents with autism may be afraid of IPE and had a high impact on their daily routine during the pandemic.