Enhancing Pulp Therapy Outcomes in Children with Autism: A Sensory-adapted Dental Environment Approach
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: A sensory-adapted dental environment (SADE) modifies visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli in the clinic to reduce sensory overload.Common adaptations include dimmed or colored lighting, gentle music or nature sounds, and tactile comforts such as weighted blankets or vibrating cushions.12 Prior studies have demonstrated benefits of SADE during dental cleanings; for example, a Snoezelen-style room (dim lights with visual effects and deep-pressure input) significantly reduced behavioral and physiological distress in children during prophylaxis.13 In a crossover trial of children with developmental disabilities, SADE exposure dramatically reduced the duration and magnitude of anxious behaviors, and increased observable relaxation and cooperation compared to a standard clinic setting.14 IntroductIonAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social-communication deficits and high rates of sensory processing dysfunction.1,2 Children with ASD often display overreaction to sensory stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, and tactile stimulation, complicating routine healthcare, including dental treatment.2,3 Indeed, dental anxiety is more prevalent in ASD than in typically developing peers, and is strongly linked to sensory sensitivities.4,5 Elevated dental anxiety often manifest as uncooperative or aggressive behavior, thereby impeding treatment.6 ASD children have poorer oral hygiene and more untreated caries than their peers, and may require advanced management strategies to receive needed care.7,8 Pulp therapy (pulpotomy or pulpectomy) is indicated for primary or permanent teeth with deep caries or trauma, aiming to preserve the tooth and eliminate pain.However, this invasive procedure is notably challenging for ASD patients: it is timeconsuming, often uncomfortable, and demands high levels of cooperation and stillness.9 In contrast, quicker options such as extractions are sometimes chosen for uncooperative children due to procedural brevity.Many ASD children consequently require pharmacological management; sedation or even general anesthesia is frequently used to facilitate dental work.10,11 While sedation can be effective, 12 it carries additional risks and costs, and does not address the underlying anxiety or sensory issues.Thus, there is a need for alternative, nonpharmacological approaches to improve ASD children's dental experiences.
Authors: Antarmayee Panigrahi, Abinash Mohapatra
Institution: KIIT University
Language: English
Subfield: Oral Surgery
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7128743020