3 ways to create sensory-friendly dental experiences for neurodivergent patients

When you leave your home in the morning and step outside, what do you experience? How do you—through your senses—take in the world?

I am an agender, asexual, raceless autistic person. I describe myself as introverted and attention hyperactive, and I am a person who commonly struggles with sensory challenges.

For me, when I leave the house, there is a lot to deal with—I experience the world with the volume turned way up. The sounds, smells, sights, and sensations of the world are heightened, and what may seem like an everyday occurrence for others can quickly become overwhelming for me. This is the reality of someone living with sensory sensitivity. Sensory sensitivity is not a deficiency or shortcoming, it is simply a matter of human neurology, an evolutionary advantage.

Why routine experiences can feel overwhelming

Even if my experience is not one you know directly, I am sure you know someone with sensory needs, as an estimated 20% of the world’s population has some form of enhanced sensitivity to environmental or emotional stimuli.¹ Neurodivergent people experience heightened sensory perception, which can lead to sensory overload. Sensory overload occurs when the nervous system receives more information through the senses than it can process, leading to overwhelm and distress.

The dentist’s office: A common source of sensory overload

When I think about high-sensory experiences, an especially triggering one happens in the dentist’s chair, which previously led me to avoid oral care visits for several years at a time. Lights, noise, and the general business of a dentist’s office can cause significant sensory disruption, so much so that I’m generally in significant pain before tools are even put into my mouth. Additionally, a lack of information about the procedures and confusion about what to expect, including how much time it will take, can make the experience more stressful. 

I’m not alone in this: according to a survey commissioned by Sensodyne, 90% of people with sensory sensitivity say a visit to the dentist can be difficult, and 26% avoid going to the dentist altogether due to sensory overload.² Clearly, this has a negative impact on oral-health outcomes for this population.

3 ways dentists can reduce sensory stress

But it doesn’t need to be this way. For the benefit of neurodivergent and sensory sensitive people everywhere, there are clear steps dental care providers can take to ensure a more accessible and inclusive patient experience.

1. Communicate before, during and after care. One factor that has made my dental care experiences worse is the lack of clear, direct, and early communication. Talking to patients before an appointment, at check in, and during an exam about what is going to happen and ensuring they feel comfortable with what’s next is critical to creating a patient-centered care experience. While I always encourage patients to advocate for themselves and to ask about sensory accommodations in advance, dentists should lead the conversation and create a sense of safety for patients to talk about their needs. 
   
   In recent years, I’ve been lucky enough to work with the staff at Wyoming Family Dentistry in Wyoming, Ohio—as featured in my recent appearance in the documentary film Sensory Overload—where the practitioners experience sensory sensitivities themselves. They asked about my sensitivities and preferences, offered accommodations up front, and explained processes in detail before beginning. My visits have been my most thoughtful experiences at any dentist. As a result, since starting there, I’ve kept up with on-time dentist appointments and plan to continue.
   
   
2. Consider the office environment. An added challenge to experiencing greater sensory sensitivity is that you are often worried about becoming a burden to others. It shouldn’t be that way, and I hope one day it won’t be, but it’s an unfortunate reality that many of us experience. When dental offices take the proactive step to create a sensory inclusive office environment, that alleviates the burden on the patient to request accommodations. For example, are there bright overhead lights? Is there music or a TV playing? Are there sound barriers between dentist’s chairs? Are there any strong scents or tastes that may trigger a response? Asking patients about what might make them feel more comfortable when they arrive for an appointment can have a big impact.
   
   Small adjustments to the overall environment—from providing natural lighting to managing auditory inputs—can help ensure all patients enter feeling comfortable and welcome. You can read more about possible ways to create a more sensory accessible and inclusive office or how to talk to patients about sensory needs in these free resources.
   
   
3. Openly offer accommodations. Sensory tools are hugely beneficial for patients. While some patients may come prepared with their own sunglasses or earplugs—or my favorite, Loops—to help block sound and bright lighting, not everyone has these on hand or even knows they need them until already in the dentist’s chair. Sensory accessibility and acceptance nonprofit KultureCity is a great resource for Sensory Bags, which include strobe-light glasses, noise-canceling headphones, and fidget tools to help manage sensory experiences during an appointment.

Training and resources for dentists serving neurodivergent patients

In addition to the immediate actions you can take in your day-to-day practice, there are trainings available to enhance your understanding of neurodivergent patients and others who may have sensory needs.

Dentists who complete the Sensodyne-sponsored ADA CERP-certified CE course, “Neurodiversity Training: Sensory Sensitive Dentistry” also qualify to receive Sensodyne x KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certification. The certification comes with marketing supports and materials, as well as access to Sensory Bags to be used in patient practice. Both the ADA course and the KultureCity certification are part of a broader Sensory Inclusion Initiative from Sensodyne.

Amplifying neurodivergent voices through media and storytelling

Ultimately, the best advice I can give dentists when it comes to working with neurodivergent and sensory sensitive patients is to learn about them through their own experiences. Talk to neurodivergent, sensory-sensitive people, listen to their stories, consume the media they create—from books to podcasts, films to social media. One place you can start is by streaming the Sensodyne and Vox Creative documentary film Sensory Overload on Hulu where I and with several other neurodivergent people and their families share our stories.

Together, I believe we can create a more inclusive world, starting with oral-care experiences.

Editor's note: This article originally appeared in DE Weekend, the newsletter that will elevate your Sunday mornings with practical and innovative practice management and clinical content from experts across the field. Subscribe here.

References

1. Aron EN, Aron A. Sensory-processing sensitivity and its relation to introversion and emotionality. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1997;73(2):345–368.
2. Sensory Inclusion Initiative. Sensodyne. https://www.sensodyne.com/en-us/about-sensodyne/sensoryinclusioninitiative/