Autism and primary care dentistry: parents’ experiences of taking children with autism or working diagnosis of autism for dental examinations
Open accessAbstract
Background: Accessing and receiving preventative dental treatment can be difficult for children with autism due to sensory processing disorders and/or challenging behaviours coupled with a reported reluctance by dentists to treat these children. Aim: To gather dental experiences of UK parents of children with autism or working diagnosis of autism and explore how they feel primary care dental services can be improved. Design: A total of 17 parents of children with a diagnosis or working diagnosis of autism took part in semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically. Results: Key themes identified were flexibility of the dental team and environment, confidence of the parents to advocate for their children's needs, continuity of services and clear referral pathways to specialist services. Cross‐cutting all themes was the value of clear communication. The experiences provide greater understanding of issues such as hyper‐empathy, the dental chair, challenges of the waiting room, perceived medical authority, and the importance of continuation of care. Conclusion: In line with previous research about the importance of family‐centred care, a strong relationship between parents and the whole dental team is essential for children with autism to access dental examinations and have satisfactory experience of care.
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Parents described an experience where a HCP did not refer on to specialist services that could actually deal with children with autism.
“Parents described an experience where a HCP did not refer on to specialist services that could actually deal with children with autism (Thomas et al., 2018).”
From A meta‐synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of accessing and using routine healthcare services for their children (2021) · cites this paper as Thomas et al., 2018
Parents articulated negative experiences during dental visits when practitioners displayed a lack of understanding of the broader impact of autism on the family.
“Parents articulated their negative experiences during dental visits when practitioners displayed a lack of understanding of the broader impact of autism on the family, illustrated by the following quotes:”
From A meta‐synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of accessing and using routine healthcare services for their children (2021) · cites this paper as Thomas et al., 2018
The parents articulated the need for a collaborative partnership.
“The parents articulated the need for a collaborative partnership (Thomas et al., 2018), as evidenced in this parent quote: 'I worked with the dentist and used her older sister and myself as role models to aid her understanding, our dentist always listened to suggestions and allowed this family consultation' (Brown & Brown, 2014, p. 23).”
From A meta‐synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of accessing and using routine healthcare services for their children (2021) · cites this paper as Thomas et al., 2018
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Dental caries experience, oral health status and treatment needs of dental patients with autism
Jaber, M. A. (2011) · Journal of Applied Oral Science · doi:10.1590/s1678-77572011000300006 · Cited by 289 · see citing works
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Research works printed but not linked: 6
- Taryn N. Weil et al, 2010. Dental Education and Dentists' Attitudes and Behavior Concerning Patients with Autism. Journal of Dental Education, 74(12), 1294-1307.
- Konstantina Delli et al, 2013. Management of children with autistic spectrum disorder in the dental setting: Concerns, behavioural approaches and recommendations. Medicina Oral Patologia Oral y Cirugia Bucal, 1;18(6), e862-8.
- Sinead Lydon et al, 2014. A Systemic Review of the Treatment of Fears and Phobias Among Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2(2), 141-154.
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Kim, D.-H., Bae, J., Heo, J. H., Park, C. H., Kim, E. B., & Lee, J. H. (2022) · ACS Nano · doi:10.1021/acsnano.2c01412 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
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Octavia, A., Sitthisettapong, T., Kettaratad-Pruksapong, M., & Dewanto, I. (2025) · International Dental Journal · doi:10.1016/j.identj.2024.12.015 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
- Authors
- Thomas, N., Blake, S., Morris, C., & Moles, D. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Exeter (GB)
- Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Thomas, Nicole
- Venue
- International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-10-26
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 226-238
- ISSN
- 0960-7439 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-263X
- OpenAlex
- W2765242853
- Cited by
- 75
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 4.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- pearl.plymouth.ac.uk
- Locations
- International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (acceptedVersion)
- PEARL (University of Plymouth) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Cerebra
- National Institute for Health Research
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Oral Surgery › Dental Anxiety and Anesthesia Techniques
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, primary dental care, children with autism, parental experiences, access to dental care, sensory processing disorders, behavioral problems, family-centered care, parental advocacy, continuity of care, referral pathways
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Autistic Disorder, Child, Child, Preschool, Communication, Female, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Parents, Referral and Consultation, Dental Care for Children
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