Dentistry for adults with autism: a review for dental professionals

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by its impact on social communication and interaction, and often marked by repetitive, or restrictive, and inflexible patterns of behaviour.¹ Characteristics for the condition can vary dramatically between individuals, from those with only mild neurodiversity to those with severe learning disability.² Co-existing conditions are common, such as additional mental health issues (anxiety, phobia, attention deficits), learning disability and language disorders.^3,4 The large degree of variation in the presentation of autism means that planning suitable care in different settings is vital; individuals need time to gain familiarity in unknown situations, and preparation can ameliorate anxieties that surround inflexible expectations.⁵ Co-working and planning between care providers and the patients enables better access to services, and helps in the delivery of successful interventions and treatments,⁶ for example to prepare someone who is likely to develop anxiety in new situations, or when they feel out of control, such as being in the dental chair. Dental interventions can be challenging for individuals with autism because interventions can be uncomfortable and invasive. Oral intervention in the face of hypersensory needs and unfamiliarity leads to dental environments being potentially high-stress, high-anxiety situations.