As dental professionals we are constantly seeing different types of people in the practice. It is our job to engage with everyone we provide care for and to tailor our approach according to their needs. This must be considered with regards to everything from how a patient is greeted in the practice to the clinical treatment we recommend, how we communicate with them and how we make them feel comfortable in the surgery environment. With World Autism Day coming up in April, this is a useful time to reflect on how we provide care for our neurodivergent patients.
What we know
The definition of Autism has changed over time as our understanding of the condition has developed. Even today, the term is used to describe people with a vast range of traits or challenges – often referred to as the Autistic spectrum. With this in mind, it’s very difficult to estimate prevalence of the condition in the UK, although around one in 100 people are believed to be affected.[i]
This also means that every individual has different support needs. Among those who present with learning disabilities, some will live fairly independently while others may require significant assistance to complete daily tasks. Some people may be completely non-verbal, while others may have exceptional skills in one area and struggle in another.
In the dental practice
A person does not have to disclose an autism diagnosis to their dental team. However, it’s important that professionals understand how they might need to tailor their care should a patient share this information.
Depending on their specific situation, an autistic individual may not fully understand the need for dental check-ups or the recommendations given during an appointment. They may also experience sensory issues while in the dental chair or moving through the practice.
The most effective way to prepare for a patient with autism is to communicate with them or their carer prior to a visit. Asking if there is anything you can do to make the appointment easier for them provides an opportunity for them to share their needs. This might mean turning down lights, offering a separate/quiet space to wait, or designing the patient journey to allow them to enter the surgery immediately when they arrive at the practice. The time of day, length of appointment, number of professionals in the room can also all have an influence over the patient’s experience.
Another consideration is communicating oral health needs. Using visual aids may improve understanding, as will utilising the correct verbal and body language. Some individuals can often perform small, repetitive behaviours (otherwise known as stimming) as a way of regulating any anxiety or distress. These should also be allowed for within the dental setting wherever possible and safe.[ii]
Optimising oral health
All of this is essential in order to help those with autism access the dental care they need. The literature[iii] has shown that among intellectually able adults with autism spectrum disorder, the risk of gingival recession and reduced salivary flow was higher than in people without the condition. This was partly attributed to less frequent tooth brushing and lower saliva production. More research is required to better understand the connections and therefore improve oral health support for individuals affected.
As such, it is for all members of the dental team to help autistic patients maintain their oral hygiene. From making a practice visit more comfortable to offering advice in the right way, even small things will make a big difference.
EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.
[i] National Autistic Society. What is autism? https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism#:~:text=Autism%20is%20a%20lifelong%20developmental,and%20children%20in%20the%20UK. [Accessed March 2025]
[ii] National Autistic Society. Going to the dentist. Dental care and autism – a guide for dentists. https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/going-to-the-dentist/dentists [Accessed March 2025]
[iii] Blomqvist, M., Bejerot, S. & Dahllöf, G. A cross-sectional study on oral health and dental care in intellectually able adults with autism spectrum disorder. BMC Oral Health 15, 81 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-015-0065-z
