AUTOPERCEPCIÓN PARENTAL DE LA CALIDAD DE VIDA Y CONDICIÓN ORAL DE NIÑOS CON TRASTORNO DE ESPECTRO AUTISTA DE UNA INSTITUCIÓN EDUCATIVA PRIVADA PERUANA

Abstract

Objective: To determine the oral health factors that affect the quality of life of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a private educational institution in Tacna in 2023. Materials And Methods: This was an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. The population consisted of 52 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, selected through a nonprobabilistic convenience sampling. Two questionnaires were used for evaluation: the Caries Risk Assessment Tool (CAT) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis using SPSS version 25. Results: The self-perceived oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) reported by parents was negative in 63.5% of cases and positive in 36.5%. Regarding the factor of inflamed gums in children with ASD, 60.6% reported negatively. For the oral factor of demineralized areas, 21.2% reported negatively. Regarding the oral factor of dental caries, the perceived OHRQoL was negative in 87.8%. The level of oral condition factor related to
hyposalivation or dry mouth was self-perceived as negative by parents in 69.7% of cases. Conclusion: There is a statistically significant relationship between oral condition factors such as caries, hyposalivation (dry mouth), and inflamed gums, affecting the self-perceived OHRQoL reported by parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).