RESTORATIVE DENTAL PROCEDURES IN PATIENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TREATED AT A REFERRAL CENTER IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract

Patients with special needs (PSN), including individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), anxiety disorders, dental phobia, or sensory hypersensitivity, require specialized approaches in the context of dental care. The objective is to investigate the criteria used in determining restorative materials for dental procedures, taking into account the specific characteristics of patients treated at a Dental Specialty Center. A standardized, self-designed form created in Google Sheets was used to record the variables obtained from medical records. A total of 1,485 medical records were analyzed, of which 328 met the study’s inclusion criteria. A predominance of male patients (63.1%) and patients with psychosocial disabilities (46.0%) was observed. A higher frequency of restorations using composite resin (RCR - 53.9%) was found. It can be concluded that RCR is predominantly performed in situations involving greater patient cooperation and less need for restraint, whereas glass ionomer cement was more frequently used in clinical contexts that required greater behavioral management or stricter restraints. Thus, the findings reinforce the importance of an individualized approach in planning restorative treatment for patients with special needs, considering not only the diagnosis but also the behavioral and clinical particularities of each patient. Given the scarcity of research in this area, the findings of this study may contribute to the consolidation of more appropriate, safe clinical practices aligned with the principles of minimally invasive and humanized dentistry.