ABA Graduate Student’s Clinical Research Published in Journal of American Dental Association
Findings Show ABA Can Help Children Tolerate Dental Visits
Bergen County dentist and Caldwell College Graduate student Purnima Hernandez recently published an article in JADA, the Journal of the American Dental Association on “Applied Behavior Analysis: Behavior Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Dental Environments.”
Hernandez, who is in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) master’s program, says the work with her co-author Zachary Ikkanda details how ABA techniques can be used to help children on the autism spectrum. “In my clinical practice, I found that the children who had difficulty tolerating dental procedures were successful after I integrated procedures based on the principles of behavior (ABA).”
She knows first-hand the value of ABA since she is the mother of a13-year-old son who has multiple disabilities, and is on the autism spectrum. “I am very grateful for my son’s birth and introduction to this science.”
Hernandez says dental procedures are often challenging for children with or without disabilities, which result in “situations which can be difficult for the child, parent and the dental provider.” When treating a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) “these challenges are compounded by the fact that the children have some level of language and social impairments and may present with stereotypical movements (and) routines.” Her clinical research finds that most children with ASD “can benefit from using these (ABA) procedures to be successfully treated in the dental office for routine dental treatments such as cleanings and sealants without physical restraints or sedations.”
She hopes to “introduce ABA as a science to the dental community” and bring about a “systems change” in the dental profession so that her colleagues will understand the value of ABA in their work.
Hernandez said that before she had her son she “was a compassionate and ethical pediatric dentist,” but she “did not think many of these children could learn.” Today it is much different. “There is not a child who walks into my office whose ability I question. I am grateful and excited about pioneering this work in pediatric dentistry.”
Hernandez already had one master’s degree, a certification in pediatric dentistry, and a doctorate in dental surgery when she enrolled in Caldwell’s ABA master’s program. But going back to school “was a no brainer” because she wanted to bring about change in her field, understand behavior analysis and make sure she had the proper credentials to practice ABA. It has been well worth it. “The graduate program at Caldwell College is rigorous. The lectures and the assignments designed for students, while challenging, provide a comprehensive understanding of the science. I am constantly applying what I learn in class in my clinical work. I have never enjoyed school as much as I do now.”
