Did you enjoy visiting the dentist when you were a child? Or did you feel a knot in your stomach as the appointment approached? Was the sight of the chair or the sound of the drill enough to cause you to sweat? Now, can you imagine experiencing all that with heightened sensory levels or without the ability to communicate your fears?
For children on the autism spectrum, dental visits can be overwhelming. Research shows that 68.9% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are scared of their first dental visit. The unfamiliar environment, bright lights, and strange sounds can amplify anxiety, making what should be a routine visit feel impossible.
At Heartlinks, we understand these challenges. We’ve worked closely with many families to prepare autistic children for dental visits. Whether it’s their first appointment or a routine check-up after a recent autism diagnosis, our specialized approach is designed to make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Want to learn more about how we create a stress-free dental experience for children with ASD? Keep reading to discover practical tips and resources to make an otherwise hand-ringing experience enjoyable.
Why Are Dental Visits Difficult for Autistic Kids?
Like other self-care appointments such as a haircut or doctor’s check-up, a dental visit can be incredibly stressful for a child with autism, from the sights and sounds to the smells and sensations. This is not to mention the communication barriers they might face or the difficulties in emotional regulation that can arise in unfamiliar and overwhelming environments. However, making regular trips to the dentist is an essential part of building a good oral health program for children on the spectrum.
Children with autism may face a variety of oral health challenges, such as:
1. Sensory Sensitivities
Between 80-90% of children on the spectrum have some sort of sensory processing disorder. Whether it’s being sensitive to lights, smells, sounds, or touch, if your child is sensitive to this sort of stimuli, a dental visit can be particularly challenging. From the bright overhead lights of the dentist’s office and chair to the noise from the dental tools or the sensation of instruments in the mouth, any of these situations could cause sensory overload. These experiences may lead to stimming behaviors such as hand flapping or repetitive body movements as a way of self-soothing.
2. Anxiety and Fear
The level of fear and anxiety regarding a dentist visit is not uncommon for children, but if your little one is on the spectrum, this can be significantly heightened. Changes in routine or the unfamiliar environment of a dentist’s office can cause extreme anxiety, often leading to temper tantrums, aggressive behavior, or other harmful behaviors that make it nearly impossible for them to sit through a treatment, let alone a dental exam.
3. Difficulty with Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene can be challenging for most children, but if you have an autistic child with motor difficulties, they may resist brushing and flossing. This can lead to a higher risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Parents can work on improving communication with their children to build trust and create positive associations with oral hygiene.
4. Communication Difficulties
Some autistic children are nonverbal or, at the very least, have difficulty communicating their needs. This can make it difficult for dentists to identify pain or address the child’s specific needs. Using preference assessments before visits can help determine what makes the child more comfortable, such as particular tools or environmental adjustments.
Preparing for a Dental Visit
Preparing your child beforehand is the easiest way to ensure a dentist’s visit goes well. At Heartlinks, we often share a few tips with our parents before they go to the dentist.
Choose The Right Dentist
Whether you ask friends, your doctor’s office, local autism treatment organizations like Heartlinks, you want to find a dentist who can treat people with similar developmental conditions. Many children on the spectrum are sensitive to various sensory inputs, such as textures or loud noises, so it’s crucial to find a dentist with a sensory-friendly office or who understands your child’s sensitivities, particularly if your child has experienced autism regression or struggles with significant communication challenges.
Ensure you verify that the office environment has a friendly and empathetic staff. You want everyone from the hygienist to the administrative assistant to comprehend the stressors your child might feel when at their appointment. Additionally, understanding that an autism misdiagnosis can sometimes delay proper care, finding a dentist familiar with ASD variations is crucial for ensuring your child’s needs are fully met.
Speak with The Dentist in Advance
Describe in detail any concerns, challenges, or needs you may have for the visit or your child’s overall health. Ask the dentist how they usually conduct a dentist check-up with an autistic patient. Additionally, ask how the dentist handles unexpected behaviors, such as sensory-seeking behaviors or tantrums, and whether they understand concepts like extinction bursts, which can occur when a child’s repetitive behaviors are addressed.
Ask about Accommodations
Whether in a separate phone call or as part of your initial discussion, talk to the dentist’s office about the accommodations they can make. Examples might include providing a quiet room, dimmer lighting, and allowing your child to wear headphones or carry a weighted blanket. Ask the dentist’s office for what you need and if they can accommodate it. It’s important to remember that you’re not being a problematic parent. Instead, you’re establishing healthy guidelines for your child’s visit to ensure enjoyment—for everyone!
Incorporate Social Stories
Using social stories to describe a dentist’s office visit is a great way to introduce the subject to your child. Start well in advance of your child’s appointment and gradually introduce the idea of the dentist with each story. This tool is highly effective because it uses simple, direct language and pictures to describe a sequence of events that a person will experience.
Talk to Your Child’s Therapist
If your autistic child is undergoing ABA therapy, the therapist can help prepare the child for the dental visit. Regardless of the technique, any ABA approach can effectively prepare the child for the appointment in the following ways.
- Errorless Learning: This technique ensures your autistic child completes steps such as sitting in the dentist’s chair while building their confidence and without fear of failure.
- Discrete Trial Training: Your child’s therapist would break down the scheduled visit into manageable tasks and teach them each step, such as opening the mouth on cue. Your child could learn each step of the visit systematically.
- Social Skills Therapy: This approach allows the child to practice interacting with the dentist staff (or a therapist pretending to be a staff member) and reducing anxiety through familiarity.
- Punishment and Reinforcement: You can motivate your child to exhibit desirable behavior during the appointment by using positive reinforcement, such as praise or rewards. Your child’s therapist might offer this as part of ABA training for parents or in-home ABA therapy.
- Modeling: The therapist can help your autistic child understand what will happen at the dentist through demonstration. That means the therapist may lie on a chair and open their mouth for inspection.
- Tacting: This ABA therapy technique will help the child label or identify dental tools and actions, reducing their fear of the unknown regarding the dentist’s office.
- Error Correction: This approach helps the child learn from their mistakes, as the therapist guides the child to the correct behavior, such as adequately holding still during a procedure.
- Shaping: By gradually and gently reinforcing closer approximations to the desired behaviors, your child will learn specific behaviors, such as sitting in a chair and reclining.
- Prompt Hierarchy: By gradually fading prompts, the therapist will help your child perform tasks like opening their mouth independently.
- Discriminative Stimulus: Using specific cues, such as visual aids or verbal instructions, to signal your child when to perform certain behaviors during the visit.
ABA’s versatility is one of the reasons it’s considered the ultimate in autism therapy.
Provide Early Warning
Let your child know ahead of time about their upcoming dentist’s appointment. Children on the spectrum often like to know about changes or shifts in their daily routines in advance. This will ease their stress level and allow them to ask questions or express concerns if they have them.
Celebrate
Successfully completing a dentist appointment can be a relief for both the parent and the child. That’s why celebrating these victories in life is always a good idea. Rewarding your autistic child for their bravery with their favorite treat or activity can tremendously motivate them to undertake more complex tasks. Celebrating your child’s accomplishments will make the experience more pleasant and leave both parties feeling happier and fulfilled.
Let Heartlinks Help
Yes, dentist visits may be intimidating and scary for the patient and the child. However, with the proper support and preparation, they can be a positive experience for everyone. At Heartlinks, we’re committed to helping families navigate these challenges and ensuring every child on the spectrum has the opportunity to achieve a healthy and confident smile.
If you’re ready to learn more about how Heartlinks can help support your family, contact us today and explore our range of ABA services available in New Jersey, Georgia, Indiana, and North Carolina.