Dental Management of Pediatric Patient with Autism Spectrum Disorder under General Anesthesia: A Case Report

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder or autism, corresponds to "a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), characterized by an abnormal or a deficient development. It is manifested before the age of three, with a characteristic disturbance in the functioning of each of the following three areas: social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviors. The combination of these three elements corresponds to the autistic triad. The latter appears in different forms, with varying degrees of severity, and can also vary with age. The oral care of this patient remains delicate, due to the difficulty of communication and the apprehension of his behavioral response. The young female, 13 years old and in good general health, presented to the dental center of Cheikh Khalifa Hospital with spontaneous pain in the right mandibular and left maxillary sectors. She was diagnosed with one of the autistic spectrum disorders: Asperger's syndrome. In our case, the patient was uncooperative and unable to attend the dental treatment in a vigorous state or under conscious sedation. General anaesthesia was the choice option. This last resort allows the patient to lose consciousness, eliminates pain and relaxes the muscles, making dental treatment a pleasant experience. The aim of this poster is to illustrate, through a case study, the protocol for managing a patient with autism spectrum disorder, and to demonstrate the indication for general anesthesia in the treatment of this patient.