Presenter: Jamie Collins, RDH

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One in 68 children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with approximately 100 newly diagnosed patients daily. Since first identified as a disorder in the United States in the 1940?s, autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States. Treating patients with autism in a dental practice presents a multitude of challenges from behavior and cooperation concerns to related health concerns, and the oral considerations associated with medications. As these children become young adults many also age out of pediatric dental practices and are seen in general practices. As a practicing hygienist and mother of an autistic child, the speaker has learned methods to ease the anxiety associated with dental appointments and common oral conditions that may affect individuals with special needs.