Website Boosts Dental Care for Autistic Children

A new online resource provides crucial support to parents of young autistic children, helping them navigate dental care and reduce the need for surgery and extensive tooth decay.

Oral Health Challenges Addressed

One in four autistic children experience tooth decay by age five. However, they often face significant barriers to dental care. A collaborative study led by the University of Leeds, incorporating feedback from families and professionals, resulted in toothPASTE, a website offering tailored solutions for oral health. Families can find resources about toothbrushing, dentist visits, and healthy eating habits, along with videos, downloadable materials, and a parent forum.

Barriers to Dental Health

Communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors contribute to the challenges autistic children face. Sensory issues can make brushing painful, while dental visits can be overwhelming due to unfamiliar stimuli. These challenges can affect a child’s well-being. Problems with teeth may impact self-esteem, speech, sleep, and even school attendance. According to the CDC, about 20% of children aged 5-11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth (CDC).

“Tooth decay is a major health problem, but it is preventable. Establishing optimal habits in early life provides the foundations for long term oral health and reduces the impact of tooth decay on autistic children, their families, the NHS and wider society.”

—Peter Day, Professor of Children’s Oral Health and Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at Leeds

**Peter Day** hopes the project will decrease the need for hospital dental care for autistic children, aiding early-years professionals and dental teams.

Parental Perspectives

**Anne-Marie Kilgallon**, mother to two autistic sons, knows the difficulties firsthand. Her children required multiple teeth extractions under general anaesthetic in primary school. **Kilgallon** believes the toothPASTE package could have prevented her sons’ traumatic experiences.

“Had this kind of support been around back then, I truly believe **Tolan** and **Fredi** wouldn’t have had to go through that. We are just one example – there are so many families facing the same challenges.”

—Anne-Marie Kilgallon, Parent

Co-design Approach

**Dr. Amrit Chauhan**, from the School of Dentistry at Leeds, emphasized the importance of family involvement in the project from its inception. The goal is to increase parental confidence in caring for their children’s teeth.

The website’s gradual approach acknowledges that even small changes can take time. It provides tools to assist neurodivergent young people, aligning with the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry’s mission.

Support and Strategies

**Nikki Pickles**, family support manager for AWARE, highlights the widespread struggles families face with oral health. The website offers easy-to-navigate strategies and advice based on current research.

The toothPASTE website features insights from minimally-verbal autistic children, who described their sensory experiences using visual aids. Interviews with families and professionals identified barriers to and facilitators of optimal oral health habits.

Real-World Impact

**Anne-Marie Kilgallon** co-founded The Whole Autism Family support group. She believes the website will be transformative for families who struggle with their children’s dental health.

Her sons, **Tolan** and **Fredi**, had extreme oral sensitivities, leading to restricted diets and aversion to toothbrushing. A dentist specializing in SEND recommended strategies like different toothbrushes and sensitivity exercises.

Accessible Expert Advice

The website offers immediate access to expert advice and peer support, eliminating the need to wait for referrals. **Kilgallon** praises the website’s videos and advocates for a resource pack to be provided upon diagnosis.