Did you know…?
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- Children with autism are more likely to experience anxiety when visiting the dentist and are less likely to receive regular dental checkups (Park et al., 2022).
- Due to difficulties with motor skills and sensory sensitivities, many children with autism struggle to maintain daily oral hygiene (Bernath & Kanji, 2021).
- Because of these challenges, children with autism are at a higher risk of dental decay and gum disease and are more likely to have untreated cavities (Sami et al., 2023).
Taking a child with autism to the dentist can be a stressful experience, both for the child and their caregivers. Sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and difficulty with communication may make a visit to the dentist feel overwhelming. However, these visits are important to a child’s health. With a little preparation, you can help your child feel more comfortable so they can access the care that they need. Here are some helpful tips for preparing a child with autism for a dental appointment.
1. Choose the Right Dentist
The first step in preparing for a dental visit is selecting a dentist that is a good fit for your child. Visits are more comfortable when the dental professional is understanding and patient with your child’s sensory sensitivities and behaviors. Ask other families in your community for recommendations. Before scheduling the appointment, ask if the office is familiar with autism and how they can help make the experience more sensory friendly for your child.
Share accommodations that you believe will be helpful for your child and ask if the office would be able to implement them. These suggestions may include having a quiet room available, offering a longer appointment time, or allowing for extra breaks during the visit. Sharing this information ahead of time will give the staff time to prepare and ensure they’re ready to offer a positive experience.
2. Prepare Your Child in Advance
Preparation is key when it comes to reducing anxiety. Talk to your child about the upcoming visit in advance of the appointment. Use clear language to explain what will happen. If your child has difficulty understanding verbal explanations, use a social story or other visual aids. You can also make the experience more playful by pretending to be a dentist and encouraging them to be the “patient,” and then trading roles.
It may also be helpful to show your child images of the tools that will be used before the appointment. Look for videos of dental equipment and watch them with your child to familiarize them with these items and noises in a non-threatening environment.
3. Familiarize Your Child with the Dentist’s Office
If possible, take your child for a visit to the dentist’s office before the actual appointment. This is a great opportunity to tour the space, meet the staff, and introduce your child to the tools and equipment they may encounter during the visit. Some pediatric dental offices may offer a “meet-and-greet” session for new patients, which can be especially helpful for children with autism. This helps make the environment less intimidating on the day of the appointment. If a visit to the dentist’s office is not feasible, look online for photos of the office and dentist that you can share with your child.
4. Maintain a Routine and Bring Comfort Items
Children with autism often thrive on routine and predictability, so maintaining a consistent routine before the dentist appointment can help ease anxiety. Try to schedule the appointment for a time of day that is least disruptive to their normal activities.If your child has a preferred comfort item (such as a favorite toy, blanket, or fidget spinner), bring it along to provide familiarity and help relieve stress during the visit. You might also consider using a visual schedule or a timer to help your child anticipate when the appointment will end. Games or videos on a tablet or smartphone can also serve as a helpful distraction to a child when they are waiting for their turn with the dentist and sometimes while they are seated in the chair.
5. Stay Calm and Positive
Children with autism often take emotional cues from their caregivers, so staying calm and positive throughout the visit can help your child feel more secure. If your child becomes upset or overwhelmed, be patient and offer reassurance. Validate their feelings by telling them that it is ok to be nervous or afraid and making yourself available for physical comfort. Help cue the dentist in on what your child may be thinking or feeling if they are not able to communicate those things themselves. This will help the dentist to adjust their approach to show your child that they understand and care as well.
6. Manage Your Expectations
Sometimes you will do everything “right” and the appointment will still be hard; don’t get discouraged! It happens. You have the foundation set and now know what went well and what your child found challenging. For example, maybe your child is now comfortable entering the office but was still upset when sitting in the dentist’s chair. Your ABA team can now help you tailor next steps and recommend how to further practice the areas that are still hard for you or your child.
How can ABA help?
If your child is particularly sensitive to certain sensations (such as the sound of the dental tools or the feeling of someone touching their teeth) or is significantly uncooperative with dental care, desensitization techniques can be used to gradually expose them to these sensations in very small, controlled steps. Interventions may start by gently playing with their mouth, such as touching their teeth with a soft toothbrush or using a cotton swab and then gradually increasing the length and intensity of these interactions over time. The key is to start with a step that the child is already comfortable with and introduce new expectations in small steps, while maintaining a feeling of comfort.
Conclusion
With advanced preparation, taking a child with autism to the dentist doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By choosing the right dentist and familiarizing your child with what to expect you can help ensure that the visit is as smooth as possible. Above all, remember that patience, flexibility, and communication are key to making the dental experience one that your child can handle calmly and confidently.
