Avaliação do risco de cárie dentária em crianças e adolescentes com transtorno do espectro autista. Uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can make children and adolescents more susceptible to oral health problems, such as dental caries. This vulnerability is often associated with factors such as a prefernce for sugary diets, difficulties in performing daily oral hygiene, and behavioral barriers that complicate access to and delivery of dental care. However, the scientific literature presents conflicting results, with n clear consensus on the correlation between ASD and a higher caries risk, justifying the need for a more robust analysis. Therefore, this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis, aimed to analyze whether this population indeed presents a greater risk or severity of dental caries compared to individuals without the disorder. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in databases such as Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest, which resulted in an initial 452 articles. After a rigorous peer-review selection process, which included the removal of duplicates and the application of eligibility criteria, 8 studies were selected for the final analysis. The qualitative analysis indicated that while most studies pointed to a higher caries index in the ASD group, research from Turkey and Egypt presented divergent or similar results. However, the quantitative meta-analysis conclusively demonstrated a statistically higher caries severity in individuals with ASD, in both deciduous dentition (Standardized Mean Difference: 1.16) and permanent dentition (Standardized Mean Difference: 0.95). The study concluded that children and adolescents with ASD have greater severity of dental caries compared to neurotypical individuals, regardless of dentition. It highlights the need for preventive, educational strategies and inclusive public policies aimed at providing humanized dental cara tailored to the specific needs of this group.