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Parental acceptance of silver diamine fluoride in children with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have concerns with fluoride/silver content in silver diamine fluoride (SDF).


AIM
To compare parental acceptance of SDF and dental fear between children with and without ASD.


DESIGN
Three hundred parents were enrolled. Demographics, dental history, and dental fear were recorded. Subjects viewed an educational video and completed survey about SDF acceptance including: a) overall acceptance, b) aesthetic concerns by tooth location, c) fluoride/silver concerns, and d) its use as a general anaesthesia (GA) alternative. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were used.


RESULTS
Significantly more children with ASD had dental fear (ASD: 56% versus Neurotypical: 26%). No differences in acceptance existed between the two groups overall or with respect to aesthetics, fluoride/silver content, or as an alternative to GA. Overall acceptance is >60%. Regardless of group, parents of older children were less likely to accept SDF as an alternative to GA (OR=0.67 [95%CI: 0.50 to 0.90]).


CONCLUSION
Parents of children with ASD had similar acceptance of SDF use compared to parents of neurotypical children. Children with ASD had higher levels of dental fear. Parents of younger children are more likely to accept SDF as an alternative to GA in both groups.