Direct and Indirect Effects of Autism Spectrum Disorder Severity on Dental Health Status in Children and Adolescents: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

ABSTRACT: Background and Objectives: Current evidence remains insufficient to determine whether the impact of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on dental health is primarily mediated through oral hygiene and dietary habits or through direct effects of the disorder itself. This study examined the theoretical pathways through which ASD severity and toothbrushing-related and dietary-choice-related factors influence dental health in autistic children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 399 mothers reporting on their autistic children (aged 2-18 years, mean = 7.8). The exclusion criterion was being older than 18 years. Data included parent-reported data about ASD severity, dental health status, willingness to brush teeth, and dietary quality (asse

SUBMITTER: Slabsinskiene E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12843695 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature