The University of Leeds has launched a new online support toolkit called “toothPASTE” to help parents of children with autism manage dental care, reduce the risk of tooth decay, and overcome sensory barriers in daily care.
The project was led by the University of Leeds’ School of Dentistry, in collaboration with researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and West Yorkshire NHS Integrated Care Board.
The toothPASTE resource brings together parents, researchers and early childhood care experts to tailor practical strategies for children with autism.
Research shows that although tooth decay rates are similar between children with autism and other children, the former are more likely to avoid dental visits and are more likely to require general anaesthetic treatment.
The toothPASTE website provides video tutorials, practical advice, downloadable tools and a forum for parents to communicate, specifically to help with daily oral care and appointments.
Dr Amrit Chauhan, Lecturer in Oral Health Research in Autism at the University of Leeds, said: “Many families face challenges in helping their children maintain oral health. Children may resist brushing their teeth due to sensory sensitivities, and the lights, sounds and smells of the dental clinic can be stressful.”
“We wanted to make parents feel more confident in caring for their children’s teeth, so we included families in the design of the project,” she added.
The support package uses a gradual approach to help parents adjust according to their child’s pace of adaptation. For example, it may take weeks or even months for a child to gradually accept the habit of brushing teeth or the dental process, and this gradual approach is adapted to the unique needs of different children.
The toolkit also introduces visual communication methods such as “Talking Mats” to help children with limited language skills express their feelings. For example, one child described toothpaste as “explosion in the mouth”, revealing the sensory distress behind a seemingly simple action.
The project is supported by a number of organizations including the National Autistic Society and the British Society for Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD).
“The toothPASTE project has developed a series of effective tools specifically for children with neurodevelopmental delays, which greatly helps parents and caregivers of children. BSPD is honored to support this project to improve the oral health of all children,” said Dr. Shannu Bhatia, President of BSPD.
The toothPASTE website is completely free and open to all families. It can be used without a formal autism diagnosis. It is committed to being an inclusive and practical oral health support platform.