Guides

Taking an autistic child to the dentist: a visual plan

A new room, a chair that tips back, a bright light and someone looking in your mouth. Knowing exactly what will happen makes a dentist visit much easier.

Read about it first

A short visual story read together in the days before helps your child picture each part: the waiting room, lying back, opening wide, the dentist counting teeth, rinsing, and going home. Take the steps with you on the day and point to each one as it happens.

Practise at home

• Lie back on the sofa and open wide while you count their teeth with a toothbrush and a torch.
• Take turns being the dentist, with a teddy as the patient too.
• Practise rinsing and spitting at the sink.

Tell the dental team what helps

When you book, say that your child is autistic or has ADHD, and what helps them: a quiet time of day, a shorter visit, sunglasses for the bright light, or being told before each step. Ask whether you can visit first, just to look at the room.

Agree a stop signal

A raised hand that means “stop for a moment” gives your child some control. Practise it at home and ask the dentist to respect it. Children who know they can stop often need to less.

Keep the first visits short

A visit where your child sits in the chair and opens their mouth for a few seconds is a good start. Finish with something they enjoy, and talk about what went well.

Kits that go with this guide

• Self-Care Steps bundle (£6.99): Toilet, handwashing, tooth brushing and getting dressed steps in one download. Save £3.47.
• Tooth brushing steps (£2.49): A tooth brushing poster, step strips and a morning-and-bedtime chart.
• Dentist story (£2.99): A dentist visual story, an 8-step poster and step strips to take with you.

Written by a dad to an autistic son with ADHD. This is everyday parenting advice, not medical or therapy advice. If you’re worried about your child, talk to your GP, health visitor or school SENCo.