Introduction:

autism spectrum disorders consist of a group of neuro-developmental disabilities that affect social interaction. The autistic child is considered a special patient in dentistry.

Objective:

to evaluate the effectiveness of a dentistry intervention in autistic children, from Heroes del Moncada Special School in Camagüey municipality, September 2018 to June 2019.

Methods:

a quasi-experimental study was conducted, before-after without control group from September 2018 to June 2019.The target group and the sample matched (26 patients), the total registration of the special school. The variables studied were: types of oral diseases, risk factors, epidemiological classification, and DMFT index. A stepwise action protocol was designed, reinforced by behavior modification techniques for familiarization, conditioning and subsequent healing actions.

Results:

the prevalence of periodontal disease (80,8 %) and dental caries (57,7 %) was observed, figures that decreased to 15,4 % and 7,7 % respectively after the intervention. There was a high frequency of dento-maxillofacial anomalies (61,5 %), responding to the second level of care. The 96,2 % of patients presented poor oral hygiene and presence of dentobacterial plaque (DBP), which decreased significantly (26,9 % for both variables) after treatment.

Conclusions:

the dentistry intervention developed was effective and applicable, with an educational, preventive-healing and social contribution. It developed correct habits and basic knowledge of oral hygiene in children with ASD. Oral disorders were reduced and follow-up along with evolution were guaranteed all through the affective bonds developed.

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