Electroencephalography-based Assessment of Neural Responses in Typical and Atypical Children during Dental Treatment.

Negligence toward children with special needs frequently has oral health difficulties, which can cause serious problems and impede their access to complete treatment. There are many factors affecting it, considering the behavioral and communication barriers, as well as their high-tendency sensory sensitivity, which makes them more reactive to sounds and sensations associated with dental care. The stress and anxiety associated with dental visits can be compounded for children with special needs, impacting their overall well-being and making future visits more difficult. The aim of this article was to understand and analyze brain patterns in these children compared to normal ones and clinically correlate them for enhanced and empathetic treatment approaches. We considered around 16 participants divided into two groups where noninvasive dental procedures (scaling and fluoride application) were performed while recording brain activity using a 24-channel electroencephalography (EEG) headset. From post analysis, it was observed neurotypical children showed adaptation and decreased anxiety levels after 30% of the procedure, while neurodivergent children required longer adaptation time with minimal adaptation observed which leads us to a conclusion over how implementation of calming interactions like tactile stimulation, better psychological tactics, and comforting the patient to establish trust and tailor intervention according to every patient's history. Clinical significance: The results of this study underline the need for customized dental care strategies for children with special needs and different neurophysiological reactions to dental treatments compared to neurotypical children. The extended adaptation time and low anxiety reduction shown in neurodivergent children suggest that traditional dental procedures might not be able to meet the particular demands of this group. For these children, using soothing methods, including tactile stimulation, psychoeducational strategies, and trust-building techniques, will greatly enhance their dental experience. Including these empathetic techniques in regular dental treatment would help healthcare professionals improve general oral health outcomes, lower anxiety, and increase patient comfort, thereby contributing to thorough and inclusive health care for children with special needs. How to cite this article: Satani A, Bafna Y, Fernandes S,