Sensory Integration Education

This question on dental checkups and sensory challenges from a member may be helpful for more families and individuals with sensory integration difficulties:

Q: My child can barely tolerate dental check-ups. Is there any information I send to my child’s dentist ahead of the check-up to help them better understand my child’s sensory challenges?

A: You’re asking the right question! Helping your dentist to understand your child’s specific sensory needs should enable the clinic to make any accommodations necessary to improve the experience for your child.

We’d recommend calling your child’s dentist, well in advance of your child’s check up, and asking to discuss how your child might react, suggesting what might help, or even organising a ‘practise visit’ where your child simply visits the clinic and is shown around to familiarise themselves with the rooms, equipment, lighting, noise, smells etc.

You could also forward your dentist this informative article from the US-based Star Institute (written by Heather Miller-Kuhaneck, MS OTR/L BCP) to brief them on sensory defensiveness during dental visits. 

The article describes how a sensory defensive child may react during a dental check up; eg, pulling away from or over-reacting to unanticipated touch; difficulty tolerating the overhead light; fear responses to the equipment, noises, scents and textures; over-reactive gag responses, etc.

The article also suggests ways the parent and dentist can reduce sensitivity during the check-up: for example, by verbally telling the child what is about to happen before any action is taken; allowing the child to wear the X-ray vest during the entire appointment to provide extra weight and deep pressure; encouraging the child to brush their teeth using an electric toothbrush prior to the appointment to provide oral motor and proprioceptive input around their mouth, lips and jaw; letting the child wear their own sunglasses to reduce glare from the lights; asking all dental staff to use firm, not light tickly, touch when touching the child’s face, etc.

You could also forward your dentist the link to this video, (also on the Star Institute website) in which Rachel S. Schneider, M.A. MHC, a mental health counselor and adult with SPD, talks about the experience of going to the dentist when you have sensory processing difficulties and the strategies that worked for her. 

If you have any other good tips or resources on dental checkups and sensory challenges, let us know in the comments.