Course Description: Dental fear and anxiety are frequently reported as reasons for delaying or avoiding dental care. The dental office is full of sensory stimuli which can easily overwhelm our senses and contribute to increased dental anxiety. For individuals who are neurodiverse or who have developmental disabilities, dental anxiety can result from sensory processing differences and hinder care. Evidence has shown use of a Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) is effective for reducing dental anxiety particularly in Autistic children/children with Autism and individuals with intellectual disabilities. This course is designed to educate all members of the dental team about sensory processing differences and equip them with strategies to create a more sensory-friendly dental environment.
Objectives
- Recognize types of sensory processing differences.
- Describe use of a Sensory Adapted Dental Environment.
- Apply strategies for implementation of a Sensory Adapted Dental Environment.
