Online toolkit to help parents of autistic children improve dental health
Follows a study which highlights the oral health challenges faced by autistic children.
A new, free, online support package aims to empower parents of young autistic children to look after their dental health — and reduce levels of tooth decay and surgery.
It follows a study led by the University of Leeds, which highlights the oral health challenges faced by autistic children. The research team has collaborated with autistic youngsters, their families, and early-years professionals to co-design the support package, following parents’ calls for autism-specific advice on how to improve oral health habits.
The toothPASTE website provides parents with practical, tailored solutions focusing on: toothbrushing, going to the dentist, and eating and drinking. It features videos, downloadable resources, and a forum where parents can share their experiences and advice.
One in four autistic children have tooth decay by the age of five — similar to the wider childhood population — but they are less likely to visit the dentist and twice as likely to need dental treatment under general anaesthetic.
The toothPASTE website was created following in-depth research featuring interviews with minimally-verbal autistic children. They used Talking Mats—visual communication aids—to describe their sensory difficulties, with one child describing toothpaste as an “explosion in the mouth.”
The study also involved interviews with families and early-years professionals to explore both the barriers to, and the factors that support, the development of optimal oral health habits. Co-design workshops followed, with parents, early-years professionals and national stakeholders.
Dr. Shannu Bhatia, President, British Society of Pediatric Dentistry (BSPD), said: “The research that has gone into the toothPASTE website has enabled the development of a set of well-targeted tools to support neurodivergent young people and will really help their parents and caregivers.
“We know that supporting neurodivergent children and those with additional sensory requirements can present specific challenges, so guidance to help all children achieve healthy teeth and gums is something BSPD is keen to support.”
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