The Impact Of Neurodevelopmental Disorders On Dental Care

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include several disability types, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and cerebral palsy. These disorders embrace the cognitive, motor, and behavioral systems and bring forth complexities for medical/dental management. Children and adults with NDDs experience a higher prevalence of oral diseases including dental caries, periodontal disease, and other oral infections due to impaired oral hygiene, and behavioral problems that interfere with oral health. This article presents an overview of the issues concerning neurodevelopmental disorders and dentistry, including the general oral health challenges, the main barriers for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders to receive dental care, and best practices recommended to improve further dental outcomes for this population.By performing a literature search across certain databases like PubMed and Google Scholar, research articles were reviewed based on the studies conducted in the past decade that targeted the dental health of people diagnosed with NDDs.This review found that individuals with NDDs are at greater risk of experiencing adverse oral health, caused by difficulties in maintaining routine hygiene, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral issues that impede cooperation during dental visits. These challenges are aggravated by poor training among the dental personnel and poor facilities in dental clinics. Sensory-friendly dental environments, behavioral management techniques, and enhanced professional training have emerged as some of the worthwhile interventions for NDD patients. Further investigation is implemented in order to study long-term results and fine-tune treatment plans.

Keywords:

Neurodevelopmental Disorders , Autism Spectrum Disorder , Dental Care , Behavioral Dentistry , Oral Health