Improving toothbrushing for autistic children using parental toothbrushing advice workshops
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Date
2026-04-01
Authors
Parry, Jennifer Ann
Bullingham, H.
Newton, J. Tim
Ryan, Christian
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Abstract
Aims: To compare a sensory and behaviour focused toothbrushing guidance with traditional guidance for parents of autistic childrenTo explore attitudes of parents of autistic children towards toothbrushing, sugar snacking and dental caries. Design: Fifty-two parents with autistic children aged three to 15 years participated. Group 1 parents received 'Delivering Better Oral Health’ toothbrushing guidance. Group 2 parents received the ‘Clinical standard for oral healthcare for autistic children and young people and/or those with a learning disability in special educational settings’ guidance. Randomisation occurred at school-level. Both parent groups received a tooth care product pack, completed a pre-study attitude and experience questionnaire and a toothbrushing performance questionnaire pre- and post-study. The main outcome measures were twice-aday toothbrushing for two minutes and parental attitude scores. Results: Fifty-five percent of parents with children aged 10 years and above reported not finding toothbrushing advice provided at dental visits useful. Although the number of parents brushing twice daily in Group 2 increased post-study, this change was not statistically significant. Parental attitude scores suggest that maintaining good oral health is important to parents of autistic children. Parents provided commentary regarding workshop advice and the challenges of implementing toothbrushing guidance delivered at the workshops. Feedback indicated that for both groups a flexible approach to toothbrushing and access to the products provided in the tooth care pack were valuable. Conclusions: Results suggest that provision of choice and bespoke toothbrushing guidance based on individual support needs is important when providing parental toothbrushing guidance for autistic children.
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Keywords
Child , Parents , Adolescent , Autism , Toothbrushing , Oral health , [Dental]
Citation
Parry, J. A., Bullingham, H., Newton, J. T. and Ryan, C. (2026) 'Improving toothbrushing for autistic children using parental toothbrushing advice workshops', Journal of the British Society of Special Care Dentistry, 26(1), pp. 28-42. https://doi.org/10.63507/IHRE9851
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© 2026, British Society of Special Care Dentistry.