Transition from Pediatric to Adult Dental Care for Autistic Individuals: A Scoping Review of Barriers, Pathways, Protocols, and Outcomes

Abstract

Background and Objective: This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on transition from pediatric to adult dental care for autistic individuals. It focused on transition pathways, caregiver role, provider preparedness, continuity of preventive care, general anesthesia planning, and reported outcomes. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, and CINAHL. Grey literature and reference lists were also searched. After duplicate removal, 551 records were screened. Sixty-four full-text articles or documents were assessed, and 22 sources were included. Results: The included evidence was varied. It included autism-specific transition evidence, broader special health care needs transition literature, adult autism dental care studies, professional policies, and transition tools. Only one source directly addressed autism-specific dental transition. Much of the available guidance came from broader special health care needs literature. This information is useful, but it may not fully reflect the sensory, communication, autonomy, and support needs of autistic individuals. No validated autism-specific dental transition readiness tool was found. The evidence suggested that transition is often informal and not well planned. Adult provider preparedness, caregiver guidance, preventive-care continuity, supported decision-making, and general anesthesia planning need further development. Conclusion: Transition from pediatric to adult dental care for autistic individuals should be planned as a gradual process, not treated as a simple referral. The process should include early preparation, caregiver support, transfer of clinical and behavioral information, and connection with an adult dental home. Future research should develop and test autism-informed transition tools, adult dental home models, provider training programs, equity-sensitive pathways, and long-term outcomes such as oral health-related quality of life, preventive attendance, emergency care, caregiver burden, and repeat general anesthesia.

Clinical application: Dental teams should begin transition planning early, support caregivers, transfer individualized care information, identify trained adult providers, and maintain continuous preventive care throughout.