Dental habituation program to help children with autism accept dental exams
Official title: Evaluating an Integrated Habituation Programme for Enhancing Dental Examination Acceptance in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Effectiveness Trial
Run by Oral Health Center of Expertise Rogaland, Norway · NCT06933342 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether a dental habituation program led by trained dental hygienists helps 5–8-year-old children with autism accept a clinical dental examination better than parent-led home preparation with visual aids.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 5 Years to 8 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 225 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Oral Health Center of Expertise Rogaland, Norway Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Stavanger, Rogaland and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | February 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06933342 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 5–8 with a reported autism spectrum diagnosis who live in Rogaland or Vestland, speak Norwegian or English, and have not been able to complete a clinical dental examination at their local clinic.
✕Probably not a fit
Children who have already completed a clinical dental examination, who live outside the specified counties, who do not speak Norwegian or English, or who have additional severe developmental cognitive disabilities are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Children with autism who have previously been unable to complete a clinical dental examination are randomly assigned to either an in-clinic dental habituation program delivered by trained dental hygienists or to an augmented control group doing home preparation with visual aids guided by parents/guardians. The interventions focus on familiarization and communication techniques (for example, tell-show-do and visual supports) to reduce anxiety and increase cooperation during a clinical dental exam. Primary outcomes measure acceptance and cooperation during a subsequent clinical dental examination. The trial is conducted at dental centers in Stavanger and Bergen, Norway, and targets children aged 5–8 who speak Norwegian or English.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase cooperation during dental exams and make routine dental care more accessible for children with autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that visual communication aids and familiarization techniques can reduce stress and improve cooperation in dental settings for children with ASD, though the specific integrated hygienist-led program is a more novel implementation.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children living in the counties Rogaland or Vestland, Norway * English or Norwegian speaking * Have not been able to complete a clinical dental examination at the local dental clinic * Has an autism spectrum diagnosis (reported by parents/guardians) Exclusion Criteria: * Children not living in the counties Rogaland or Vestland, Norway * Does not speak English or Norwegian * Have completed a dental examination at the local dental clinic * Have other severe developmental cognitive disabilites (in addition to an autism spectrum diagnosis) (reported by parents/guardians)
Where it's running
-
Oral health centre of Expertise Rogaland
Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway Recruiting -
The public dental health service Vestland Norway
Bergen, Vestland, Norway Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lene Elisabeth Myhren, PhD — Oral health centre of expertise - Rogaland, Norway
- Study coordinator: Andrzej Adam Pawlowski, DDS, Pediatric dentist
- Email: andrzej.adam.pawlowski@throg.no
- Phone: +4751506854
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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.