# Sensory Adapted Dental Environments to Enhance Oral Care for Children

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2020 · $106,905

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This study is a randomized clinical trial investigating the efficacy of a sensory adapted
dental environment (SADE) compared to a regular dental environment (RDE) to
decrease physiological anxiety, distress behavior, perception of pain, and discomfort
during a dental cleaning in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The SADE
procedure modifies the degree and type of visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation that
children experience during dental cleanings. In this crossover design, the SADE will be
compared to a RDE in a group of children with ASD with visits occurring four-six months
apart. The outcome variables are physiological anxiety as measured by electrodermal
activity (EDA) and child negative responses (distress behavior, perception of pain,
sensory discomfort) exhibited by the child during dental cleaning visits. Analyses will
include repeated measures ANCOVA models to examine the differences in the within-
group factor (environment) in the ASD groups. Participants will be 220 ethnically diverse
children with ASD aged 6-12 years. All children will be Southern California residents.
Participants will be recruited primarily from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (Dental
Clinic, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Boone Fetter
Clinic, AltaMed General Pediatrics Service) and the Los Angeles Unified School District
(LAUSD), so the sample in this study will likely over-represent low income
Hispanic/Latino families who are at high risk for poor oral health. Consistent with ASD
prevalence statistics, we anticipate a ratio of approximately four boys for every girl in the
sample.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10249780
- **Project number:** 3U01DE024978-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Sharon Andrea Cermak
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $106,905
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2015-05-01 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10249780

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10249780, Sensory Adapted Dental Environments to Enhance Oral Care for Children (3U01DE024978-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10249780. Licensed CC0.

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