Data Sheet 1_Oral health status in children with autism spectrum disorder in Almaty, Kazakhstan.docx

Purpose<p>This study aimed to characterize oral health status, oral hygiene practices, and caregiver-reported dental care experiences among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and to describe caregiver awareness and practices related to oral care.</p>Methods<p>This descriptive cross-sectional pilot study included 53 children aged 3-18 years with a confirmed ASD diagnosis recruited from the “Autism Pobedim” rehabilitation center in Almaty.

Clinical examinations assessed caries using the DMFT/dmft and CAST indices and oral hygiene using the OHI-S index. A study-specific 36-item caregiver questionnaire collected information on home oral hygiene, dental care experiences, and selected developmental characteristics.</p>Results<p>Only 24.5% of children brushed their teeth twice daily, and most required parental assistance. Overall, 30.2% had never visited a dentist, while 58.5% of caregivers reported major difficulties during dental visits.