Long-term impact of Covid-19 in clinical management of autistic children

Aim: In July 2020 the working activity in the Pediatric Dentistry Department of Policlinico Umberto I ofRome restarted. The primary goal was to take up again the service dedicated to children with AutisticSpectrum Disorder (ASD). However, the new increasing number of infections, impacted again on theservices, with consequences on the oral health of ASD patients. In light of this, a new evaluation survey wasadministered to the same group of interviewees of June 2020, to evaluate the evolution of the pandemic onthe reorganization of the clinical service. Methods : The study included parents of ASD children aged between 3 and 18, attending the Department. Results : In June 2021, 100 parents were administered an online anonymous survey; 70 fully filled surveyswere received. The questions focused on the level of satisfaction regarding the service offered between July2020 and May 2021 and the impact of Covid-19 on the reorganization of the project. 56% of the subjectsaffirms that pandemic greatly affected the organization of our Department, while 44% does not. The samedifficulties encountered in using Telemedicine in the lockdown in 2020 are still present. 18% (2021) versus19% (2020), finds it difficult to use, while 41% (2021) versus 19% (2020), finds it easy to use. Conclusion : As soon as the conditions will allow it, we wish to improve the most critical aspects and makeour Department a medical center of excellence. Furthermore, we believe that creating a permanentTelemedicine center will be of essential support for families, even in emergency periods.