Pilot: Taste acceptance of fluoride varnish on autistic patients

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Pilot Study: Quantitative analysis on the taste perception of different flavoured fluoride varnish on patients with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

• IRAS ID

  245291

• Contact name

  Rohini Mohan

• Contact email

  rohini.mohan@wales.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 29 days

• Research summary

  Summary of Research:
  This study is to assess the taste acceptance of young patients with autistic traits to different flavoured fluoride varnish compared to Duraphat fluoride varnish which is the only licensed medical device for the prevention of dental caries. Other brands of fluoride varnish are unlicensed for caries prevention but they do have the same fluoride content as in Duraphat fluoride varnish. There are some patients who dislike the taste of Duraphat.
  100 patients seen in Community Dental Services based in Swansea and Port Talbot will be included in the study and split into two groups. One group will receive Duraphat fluoride varnish and the latter group will receive a different flavoured fluoride varnish. The study will be expected to be last for at least 6 months until we have reached our desired data sample.

  Summary of Findings:
  A total of 59 out of 60 children underwent fluoride varnish application as one child refused the application. The final sample for analysis consisted of 59 children (53 boys and 6 girls) aged 6-14 years. The mean age of the study sample was 9.64 years ±3.25

  The Frankl behaviour rating scale was used to assess participants non-verbal behaviour. The values of rating scale were numerical values of 1 for 'definitely negative', 2 for ‘negative’, 3 for 'positive' and 4 for 'definitely positive' responses for data analysis purpose.

  There were no significant differences in the non-verbal behaviour of subjects allocated to the three different flavour varnish groups before the application of the varnish.

  Similarly there was no significant difference seen in behaviour following the application of the different flavours of fluoride varnish.

  When the nonverbal behaviour was compared, within each of the varnish groups, before and after the application, Duraphat showed a significant effect on change in the behaviour with more children responding positively or accepting the taste.

  No significant changes in non-verbal behaviour were noted within the Profluorid and MI varnish application groups

  Among 26 children who showed non-verbal negative behaviour before varnish application, 12 of them presented positive response after the application.

  The remaining 14 children who had displayed negative behaviour in phase-1 refused fluoride varnish application thereby repeating the negative behaviour.

  Children who presented prior positive behaviour (phase I) displayed significantly more positive responses after the varnish application (phase II).

  There was no significant effect of the varnish preparations on the taste acceptance of children based on their feedback from three point smiley ratings

• REC name

  Wales REC 6

• REC reference

  19/WA/0033

• Date of REC Opinion

  22 Mar 2019

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion