UK government’s autism strategy places legal duty on dentists
New government legislation is currently addressing an “autism strategy” for a welcoming society that allows people with autism to access needed services to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives. These changes come in light of measures demanded by the National Autistic Society and lobbyists. The bill places a legal duty on councils and NHS services, including dental health, to look after people with autism.
People with autism are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and depending on the type of condition may differ quite substantially in functioning. In general, people with autism experience differing levels of difficulty with social communication, social interaction and social imagination (perceiving the world around them). Some of the dental challenges associated with people who fall on the autism spectrum who are hypersensitive include severe dental phobia because of the dental bright lights, touching equipment and loud instruments; poor dental hygiene due to negligence in care from self or carer; a higher incidence of bruxism, seizure-injury and self-harming behaviour in certain groups of people on the autism spectrum; and medication use that exacerbates poor oral health.
The NHS and British Society for Disability and Oral Health are promoting awareness of dental treatment for special needs patients, but there may still be numbers of dentists who feel discomfort at treating a person with autism. The NHS and The National Autistic Society do provide guidance to practitioners in the dentistry industry on feeling more comfortable to look after people with autism.
Some tips may include understanding the type of autism condition and how it affects the patient’s functioning, providing a gentle tour of the dental office where staff can be met too, limiting the first appointment to a short consultation, explaining step for step what will happen next (such as “I will touch your lip to open your mouth…”), allowing the presence of the carer or family member, and using sedation or anaesthesia for dental treatments involving x-rays, fillings, and so on. Part of looking after the person with autism during dental treatment is achieving a level of comfort and safety for all.
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