Class-integrated social stories to make dental visits easier for autistic preschoolers
Official title: Improving Autistic Children's Experiences of Dental Care With Class-integrated Social Story: a Randomised Controlled Trial and Cost-benefit Analysis
Run by The University of Hong Kong · NCT07166978 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether a class-integrated social story program helps preschool children with autism feel less anxious and behave more comfortably during dental visits.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 3 Years to 7 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 106 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | September 11, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07166978 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Hong Kong preschool children diagnosed with ASD who have a full primary dentition, can understand and benefit from social stories, and whose parents can provide consent and complete Chinese-language questionnaires.
✕Probably not a fit
Children with visual or hearing impairments, those unable to understand or benefit from social stories, children without full primary dentition, or families unable to read Chinese are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled study will enroll Hong Kong preschool children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and full primary dentition to compare a validated class-integrated social story (ECOHC) plus reinforcement sessions against usual care with no social story. Participants will be randomized 1:1; the intervention group will receive the social story and eight in-class reinforcement visits delivered by a trained research assistant over about 1–2 months, while both groups undergo standard dental examinations at their special childcare centers. The reinforcement visits are supported by training from a clinical psychologist, speech-and-hearing therapist, and occupational therapist. Outcomes will include measures of dental fear, behavior during dental exams, and oral health findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce dental anxiety and make routine dental exams easier and less stressful for autistic preschoolers, improving access to preventive dental care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small non-randomized studies have reported promising improvements in oral health after social story interventions, but randomized evidence that they reduce dental fear is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Preschool children will be eligible if they have been diagnosed with ASD, following signed parental consent and completion of the questionnaire. * The proposed study will target Hong Kong preschool children diagnosed with ASD * Have their full primary dentition erupted * Able to understand and benefit from social stories (Gray, 2000). Exclusion Criteria: * ASD children who have visual or hearing impairments * Whose parents who cannot read Chinese will be excluded.
Where it's running
-
Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Phoebe Pui Ying Lam
- Email: pyphoebe@hku.hk
- Phone: +852 28590578
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.