With experience in the treatment, without the need for sedation, of autistic children, Tânia Lourenço, founder of Clínica Dental Mind, argues that this option avoids the use of other drugs that can be more harmful to the body, and is ultimately less complex. On the other hand, “it allows the patient to develop greater control of his behaviour during the medical appointment, as well as an awareness as to the importance of changing daily habits to ensure good oral health”.
Can you share with us one or more cases that have particularly impacted you in the area of autism?
They are all different cases and for me they are all special cases! The first case, in 2007, was that of a four-year-old girl with early stage cavities of the deciduous molars and who was uncooperative. At the time, there was little information available on dental treatments for patients with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorders). With the collaboration and commitment of the mother, we managed to treat the initial decay without sedation.
Do you remember any other special cases?
Another very interesting case was the performance of a bimaxillary fixed orthodontic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic on a 16-year-old boy with ASD, who had difficulties expressing himself verbally (only short sentences) and socialising. The patient was always very cooperative throughout the orthodontic treatment, and only one bracket detached itself throughout the whole process. It was also possible to correct a severe open bite in a 14-year-old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, which is part of the ASD, in whom four premolar extractions were made and upper and lower fixed braces were fitted. The patient was also very cooperative, especially in the use of intermaxillary elastics, but the whole process was long as he was a very sensitive and pain intolerant patient. Other challenging cases were some children with ASD who were indicated for general anaesthesia and were in pain/abscess. We were able to perform the dental extractions during a second appointment without needing to sedate them.
Find the interview in DentalPro Magazine 165.
