Evaluating Barriers for Autistic Children's Parents about Receiving Dental Services in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background and Purpose: During the corona pandemic, the importance of dental services, both preventive and curative, for patients with autism is even greater. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the barriers created for children with autism to receive dental services during the Covid 19 pandemic from the parents' perspectives. Materials and Methods: The study was a randomized clinical trial that looked at 90 children with autism based on their parents' opinions. It was explained. Data collection was administered by using a self-made questionnaire with 11 questions, whose validity and reliability were confirmed, with the help of SPSS26 software at an error level of 0.05, using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Results: The children's age was an effective factor in preventing them from receiving dental services (p-value = 0.014), and between the two age groups of 9 to 13 and 14 to 18 years, regarding the conditions of the closed space of the dental office that prevents the patient from referring to receive services. Also, there was no significant relationship between questions and parents' jobs and education (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Covid 19 pandemic conditions have increased the fear of parents of autistic children about coming to closed places such as offices and regular dental check-ups, and as a result, increased disruption of normal daily activities by autistic children during this period, which has resulted in increased severity.