Providing dental care to kids with autism is challenging as it necessitates the use of a unique strategy that puts into consideration the child’s specific requirements and preferences. It’s even more challenging when you are trying to take your autistic child to see a dentist.
I asked why this was the case, and my dentist suggested, “this is because there are usually many new sights, sounds, scents, and sensations during a dental appointment.”
Too many sensations and stimuli can be too much for kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or specific sensory problems.
While this is the case, you still need to take your child to a dentist as it’s vital for their oral health. To have an easier time taking your child to a dentist and ensure that the visit is a success, you need to do a number of things. These things include:
Properly prepare for the visit.
Planning is essential when it comes to dental care for kids with autism. To reduce anxiety and ensure a peaceful and prosperous visit, it can be highly beneficial to prepare children with autism for their dental appointments well in advance.
To help your child feel more at ease, most dental clinics will let you arrange a visit a few days or weeks before your scheduled appointment. Before the visit, talk to the dentist or staff about your child’s unique requirements, worries, or difficulties.
Children may benefit significantly from a visual schedule or social story to help them get ready for their dental appointments. Similar to the sensory avoidance routine, it will be beneficial to practice each step until your child comprehends and is at ease with it before proceeding.
Dividing the procedure into smaller, repeatable steps could be helpful. For example, you and your child might go to the dentist, meet the front desk employees, sit in the chair without getting any treatment, and then return home with a prize. This methodical approach could help reduce fear and encourage familiarity.
Offer positive reinforcement
Maintaining the child’s composure and interest throughout the dentist appointment also requires you to use positive reinforcement tactics. A good way to do it is to take breaks when needed, reward your child with toys or stickers, and compliment them on their good behavior.
Understand your child’s needs and preferences.
To discuss your child’s unique requirements and preferences, call your dentist before the appointment. Noise-canceling headphones, music, a weighted blanket or vest, sunglasses, shutting off fluorescent ceiling lights, chatting as little as possible throughout the dental operation, or watching a favorite film can help your child have an easier time at the dentist’s office.
Providing your child a hand mirror to observe could also be highly beneficial. Because they are quick and don’t need placing objects in a child’s mouth, panoramic X-rays might be more tolerable than traditional intraoral dental X-rays.
During the x-ray exposure, you should remain in the room and drape your child’s head to support it. While some kids enjoy wearing a papoose, others don’t. You should know what your child wants and provide it to them.
Try out anxiety-relieving medications.
An essential component of providing comprehensive care for an individual with ASD is collaborating with the medical care team to create an effective anxiety reduction plan. Some kids and teenagers with ASD could still have trouble with dental exams or procedures, even with modifications and accommodations.
To help them deal with their nervousness before the dentist appointment, offer them anxiety-relieving drugs or mild sedation. Work with specialty clinics that provide dental procedures and examinations under general anesthesia when necessary.
Start early
When kids turn one year old, you should introduce them to a dental office with skilled and kind pediatric dental staff, which sets them up for lifelong oral health. Early visits also have the added advantage of being short and painless, which promotes familiarity with the dental setting and builds trust with the dental team.
The same way you should introduce your child with autism to a dental office is the same way you should teach them tooth brushing—do it as early as possible.
The right way to do it is to start an oral hygiene regimen when the first tooth erupts. Brushing should begin with a tiny dab of toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Remember to experiment with different flavors or non-foaming toothpaste (sodium lauryl sulfate-free) if your child is sensitive to taste or texture.
When it comes to toothbrushes, there are numerous options you can go with, including battery-operated or spinning models for kids who enjoy stimulation.
You should combine brushing with other daily activities or a favorite pastime, like bathing. During this time, you have easier access to your child’s teeth and feel more comfortable if you lay them on a soft carpet or bed with a visual distraction like a book or mirror.
When a child grows older, encourage them to brush first, then take a “parent turn.” This technique is known as hand-over-hand and then turn-taking, and it helps the child develop autonomous brushing skills.
Incorporating tooth brushing practice with a behavior analysis therapist, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist might also be beneficial. These professionals will give their input, which might be highly valuable to you and your child.
Parting shot
Dental offices are characterized by bright fluorescent lights, loud equipment, human noises, and strange procedures. Children with ASD who are hypersensitive to strong tastes, odors, or textures or who cannot tolerate persons or items close to their lips and face may find dental appointments and procedures particularly challenging.
Some dental offices can also be hesitant to handle patients with ASD because they lack the necessary knowledge or experience working with children who have special needs.
Thankfully, with the above tricks, you can make the next visit to your child’s dental office as easy as possible. Remember to fully understand your child and then communicate this to the dentist.
You should work closely with the dentist to make the visit not only a success but something that your autistic child can look forward to.
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SOUNDOS-SEGC.