Last Updated on: 28th March 2025, 01:54 pm
World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated every year on April 2. This is a time to educate and promote the inclusion of people with autism. An often overlooked area where greater understanding is needed is dental care.
For many children and adults with autism, going to the dentist can be an overwhelming experience. Bright lights, noisy instruments, unfamiliar smells, and physical contact can cause sensory overload. Add in communication barriers and disruption of routine, and it’s easy to understand why dental visits become a major source of stress.
This article explains how dental care can be tailored to meet the specific needs of people with autism, helping to create a more comfortable and positive experience for everyone.
Understanding autism and dental care challenges
For many of us, going to the dentist can be just another chore on our to-do list. But for someone with autism, a visit to the dentist can be an incredibly stressful and overwhelming experience, both physically and emotionally.
Sensory sensitivities
People with autism often experience heightened sensitivity to sensory input, things such as bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, unusual tastes, or the feel of certain textures. A dental office normally displays all those characteristics. The buzzing of tools, the harsh light above the chair, the minty paste, and the cold metal instruments can be overwhelming.
Imagine being in a place where every sound seems amplified, the lights hurt your eyes, and unfamiliar hands are reaching into your mouth. Now imagine not being able to fully express how uncomfortable or scared you feel. That’s what many autistic individuals face during a dental visit.
Communication barriers
Not everyone with autism communicates in the same way. Some may speak clearly and fluently, while others are non-verbal or use gestures, pictures, or devices to express themselves. Even for those who speak, complex instructions can be confusing or upsetting.
Dentists and their teams need to be patient and use a clear, simple language. Visual aids, hand signals, or even just offering a few extra moments of silence can help build trust and reduce anxiety.
Need for routine and predictability
Many autistic people rely on routine to feel secure. A dental appointment disrupts the norm and often includes unfamiliar procedures. Changes like a new hygienist or a long wait can increase stress.
Preparing the patient in advance, explaining each step, and keeping the environment consistent help reduce anxiety and create a more successful visit.
Autism-friendly dental care for all ages
Whether it’s a young child facing their very first dental visit or an adult who hasn’t seen a dentist in years, individuals with autism deserve care that’s adapted to their unique needs.
Dental appointments can be challenging at any age, but with compassion, preparation, and teamwork between dentists, families, and caregivers, it’s possible to create a welcoming environment where both children and adults feel safe, understood, and supported.
Dental care for children with autism
Children with autism often face extra challenges in the dental chair, but with the right strategies, the visits can become manageable, even positive.
● Early introduction is key: Start dental visits early, even before treatment is needed. Begin with short, no-pressure appointments to explore the office and meet the staff. Familiarity helps reduce fear.
● Sensory-friendly adjustments: Make the environment as comfortable as possible:
– Use sunglasses or dimmed lights.
– Provide noise-canceling headphones or soft background music.
– Allow comfort objects like stuffed animals or weighted blankets.
– Avoid minty or strongly flavored pastes or polishes if the child is sensitive to taste
These small changes can make a huge difference in the child’s comfort level.
● Build trust through play and routine: Many children with autism respond well to repetition and visual cues. Try:
– Pretend play at home (practicing brushing and/or “counting” teeth, using a mirror).
– Storybooks or videos about visiting the dentist.
– Visual schedules with pictures for each step of the visit.
– Role-playing with toys or dolls.
These techniques help children anticipate what will happen and feel more in control.
● Caregiver involvement: Parents and caregivers offer valuable insight. Include them in planning. Let the child sit on a parent’s lap, use calming language, and choose a time of day when the child is typically calm.
● Celebrate small successes: For some children, simply entering the dental office without distress is a big win. Use praise, tokens, or favorite rewards to reinforce cooperation and create positive associations.
Autism-friendly dental care for adults
Although much of the focus is often on children, adults with autism also face significant challenges in dental care, and their needs are often overlooked.
Many autistic adults were never diagnosed as children, which means they may have had difficult or even traumatic experiences in healthcare settings without understanding why.
● Recognizing unique barriers: Undiagnosed autism or past negative experiences can lead to long-term fear or distrust. High anxiety and sensory issues can make appointments difficult to tolerate.
● A personalized approach: Every adult with autism is different. Some may be more verbal and independent, while others may rely on caregivers for communication and support. Ask how they prefer to communicate. Some may want silence, and others clear explanations. Schedule appointments at quiet times and keep routines consistent.
● Communicate with respect: Avoid speaking down to the patient or assuming they don’t understand. Instead, use respectful, direct language and always ask before touching or starting a procedure. Let the patient bring a support person if desired, but address the patient first.
● Importance of consistency: Try to establish a predictable routine, seeing the same provider, at the same time and place; this builds trust over time and helps reduce anxiety.
Regardless of age, autistic individuals benefit greatly from attentive, flexible dental care tailored to their individual needs. Now that we understand the challenges, let’s look at how to effectively prepare for a successful dental visit.
Preparing for the dental visit
Choosing the right dentist
Look for a dentist with experience treating patients with autism or other special needs. Pediatric dentists often receive additional training in this area and may offer a more flexible and understanding approach.
In some cases, even if the patient is an adult, referral to a pediatric dentist may be appropriate, especially if they are more experienced in managing sensory sensitivities and behavioral needs.
Pay attention to how the dental staff communicates. A warm, patient team, open to collaboration, is a great sign.
Pre-visit communication
Before the appointment, call the dental office and share any helpful information about the patient: sensory triggers, calming tools, communication preferences, and any strategies that work well at home. This allows the staff to prepare.
Familiarization visits
Schedule a short pre-visit just to explore the space. Walk through the waiting room, meet the dentist, sit in the chair, and maybe listen to the sound of the tools without receiving treatment. This helps reduce fear of the unknown by building familiarity.
Visual schedules and social stories
Use a visual schedule to outline each step of the dental visit with drawings or photos. You may also create a social story, which is a short narrative that explains what will happen during the visit and how the person might feel. These tools help set expectations and reduce anxiety.
Practicing at Home
Role-play dental visits at home. Use a mirror to “examine” teeth, count them out loud, and simulate brushing or cleaning. You can also let your child feel a toothbrush or look at dental instruments to increase familiarity.
During the appointment
After all the preparation, it’s time for the actual appointment. While planning helps a lot, being at the dentist can still be a bit overwhelming. However, with small adjustments and a calm, caring approach, the experience can feel much easier.
Creating a calm environment
If possible, ask for a quiet room. Low lighting or the use of sunglasses may reduce discomfort. Allow the patient to bring a comforting object, such as a favorite toy or blanket. Noise-canceling headphones or soft background music may also help block out stressful sounds.
Positive reinforcement
Celebrate cooperation. Simple rewards like stickers, a small toy, or verbal encouragement like “You’re doing great!” go a long way in building positive associations with the dental office.
Simple and clear instructions
Keep instructions short and specific. For example:
● “Open your mouth.”
● “Now I’m going to count your teeth.”
● “Let’s take a break.”
Avoid long explanations and confusing terms. Show what you’re going to do using gestures or props when possible.
Allowing breaks
If the patient starts feeling overwhelmed, taking a break is wise. Step out of the room, take a few deep breaths, or pause the procedure for a few minutes. Staying flexible and patient can go a long way in preventing distress and helping the visit end positively.
After the appointment
We know that not everything during a dental visit will go perfectly, and that’s okay. What truly makes a difference is how we respond afterward. The moments following the appointment are just as important as the visit itself.
Reinforcing the experience
Celebrate the patient’s success. Highlight what went well, praise their effort, and reinforce that the visit is over and they did great. Rewarding their cooperation can help: a small reward, a high-five, or even talking about the next visit in a positive light should help create good memories.
Establishing a routine
Set up a regular dental schedule. Mark the date on a calendar, set reminders, and talk about it in advance. The more predictable the process, the less stressful it becomes.
Conclusion
World Autism Awareness Day reminds us of the importance of inclusion, and that includes dental care. By understanding the unique needs of autistic individuals and making thoughtful adjustments, we can transform the dental experience into one that is respectful, calm, and empowering.
It doesn’t take expensive equipment or complex strategies. Often, the most powerful tools are empathy, patience, and a willingness to listen. Because everyone deserves a healthy smile and a dental experience that respects who they are.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
People with autism often have sensory sensitivities, meaning they may be extremely sensitive to lights, sounds, tastes, smells, or touch, all of which are common in dental offices. They may also experience anxiety with unfamiliar routines and have difficulty communicating discomfort, making the experience feel overwhelming or even frightening. Yes, many pediatric dentists and some general dentists have special training in treating patients with autism and other special needs. These dentists often use sensory-friendly techniques and take extra time to build trust with patients. Ask if they have experience working with neurodiverse individuals before booking. This is common, and it’s important not to force them. Dentists can try using gentle desensitization techniques, play-based strategies, or even visual prompts. In some cases, short practice visits may be needed to gradually build comfort before doing a full exam. Absolutely. Many teens and adults with autism feel safer when a parent or caregiver is present. Dentists should respect the patient’s comfort level and allow a support person to stay during the visit when needed. In some cases where office visits are too stressful, dentists may recommend sedation dentistry or treatment in a hospital setting. However, many families find that with preparation and a patient, experienced dentist, even highly sensitive children can eventually tolerate in-office care.
References
1. Chandrashekhar, S., & S Bommangoudar, J. (2018). Management of Autistic Patients in Dental Office: A Clinical Update. International journal of clinical pediatric dentistry, 11(3), 219–227. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1515
2. National Autistic Society. (2020, 14 August). Dentists. https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/going-to-the-dentist/dentists
3. NOHIC. (2009). Practical Oral Care for People with Autism. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/practical-oral-care-autism.pdf
4. Pagano, S., Lombardo, G., Coniglio, M., Donnari, S., Canonico, V., Antonini, C., Lomurno, G., & Cianetti, S. (2022). Autism spectrum disorder and paediatric dentistry: A narrative overview of intervention strategy and introduction of an innovative technological intervention method. PubMed, 23(1), 54-60. https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2022.23.01.10