Relationship between Oral Health Literacy of Caregivers and the Oral Health‑Related Quality of Life of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Camila Faria Carrada; Maisa Costa Tavares; Stefânia Werneck Procópio; Flávia Almeida Ribeiro Scalioni; Ramon Targino Firmino; Rosangela Almeida Ribeiro; Saul Martins Paiva

Authors

Camila Faria Carrada
Maisa Costa Tavares
Stefânia Werneck Procópio
Flávia Almeida Ribeiro Scalioni
Ramon Targino Firmino
Rosangela Almeida Ribeiro
Saul Martins Paiva

Keywords:

Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Children with Disabilities, Health Literacy, Oral Health

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between oral health literacy (OHL) of caregivers and oral health‑related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 children/adolescents with ASD and their parents/caregivers. Dental caries experience (DMFT/dmft) was diagnosed. Parents/caregivers answered the Brazilian Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD-30), Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire, Family Impact Scale, and a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics. Data analysis included Mann-Whitney test and Poisson Regression (p<0.05). Results: Families with an income up to 2 minimum wages, were 2.25 times more likely to have a negative perception of their children's OHRQoL (RR=2.25; 95%CI: 1.25–4.06) and were 2.93 times more likely to have a negative perception of the impact of their children's oral health on the family's quality of life (QoL), compared to those with an income over two minimum wages (RR=2.93; 95%CI: 1.75–4.92). Caregivers with ideal OHL were 3.38 times more likely to have a negative perception of their children's OHRQoL (RR=3.38; 95%CI: 1.66–6.89) and were 3.47 (RR=3.47; 95%CI: 1.90–6.38) times more likely to have a negative perception of the impact of their children's oral health on the family's QoL, compared to those with low OHL. Conclusion: Family income and parents’ OHL are determinants of parents' negative perception of their children's OHRQoL and the impact of their children's oral health on the family's QoL.

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