Colgate Oral Health Network

Autism Overview & Update

Have you ever had pediatric patients who seem to have impaired abilities in communication, have difficulty making eye contact, or cannot tolerate the texture of dental materials used during their appointments? These are just a few of the initial signs that a patient may be on the autism spectrum. This course is intended to introduce dental professionals the challenges that they may face while treating patients with autism disorder and offer insight into how to effectively treat these patients.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Define autism disorder
    • History
    • Understand what it is
    • Understand who is affected
    • Etiology
  2. Significance in the population
  3. Treatment and barriers
  4. Tips to employ in practice