Oral health partnership helping those on spectrum

A partnership between Curtin University and Autism Association of WA is helping those on the spectrum.

An ongoing partnership between Curtin University and the Autism Association WA, is helping those with sensory sensitivities overcome oral hygiene challenges.

Curtin’s Oral Health Therapy Clinic offers dedicated clinics specifically for children, teens, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Under close supervision by highly experienced and skilled tutors, Curtin students are treating a wide range of dental conditions and developing the necessary skills and aptitudes of oral health practitioners.

Dr Amanda Tan, an experienced dentist herself and lecturer and clinical coordinator for the Oral Health Therapy degree has been running the clinics since 2024.

“I started at Curtin in 2023 and was asked to take over organising this amazing clinic,’’ she said.

“Since joining the clinic I’ve seen incredible growth and an increase in the number of patients we see.

“Our aim is to provide that extra bit of support for patients, to ensure their dental experience is more positive.”

In collaboration with the Autism Association WA, we secured a generous Healthier Smiles Community Service Grant from the ADA Dental Health Foundation and the Mars Wrigley Foundation.

Funding is used to cover the purchase of hygiene bags for up to 180 patients with special needs and to assist with transport costs to attend the clinics which is particularly appreciated by people who need to travel from rural and regional areas.

For our patients with sensory issues, the clinic was able to buy some low sensory products, such as different types of toothbrushes and toothpastes to make the process of taking care of your teeth less scary.

The Curtin Oral Health Therapy Clinic is helping people with autism overcome their fears of being in a medical setting.

“For some children with autism or sensory sensitivities, they don’t like the foam sensation of most toothpastes,’’ Amanda said.

“With the Healthier Smiles Community Service Grant, we were able to purchase a variety of non-foaming toothpastes so that patients will be able to try it – saving their parents from buying a $20 tube of toothpaste only to find their child doesn’t like the flavour,’’ she said.

“Taking care of our oral health starts at home. So starting with something as simple as brushing your teeth is so important.”

Amanda said creating a welcoming space at the clinic was vital in helping people with autism overcome their fears of being in a medical setting.

“For many people a hospital setting can be quite upsetting, so we try to make the experience less triggering, by lowering the lights and keeping the noise levels down,’’ she said.

A Curtin student provides dental care to an autistic child at the Curtin Oral Health Therapy Clinic.

“I’ve had a parent tell me there was even a challenge coming into the building, as their child didn’t like elevators and we are located on level 1.

“It was then wonderful to hear that he had overcome that fear and was actually happy to jump in the elevator and come up to the clinic because he was excited to visit us.

“Stories like that just make our day and prove that even in the little things we can have a positive effect.”

Autism Association WA Improving Health Outcomes Project Facilitator Jo Edgell said the clinics, have been running for the past three years.

“The more we promote it and the more people hear about it, the busier we get,’’ she said.

“People see the true value in the service and the difference it’s making to families.”

Jo said hearing the wonderful feedback from Curtin students filled her with such gratitude.

“It’s lovely hearing that the students also enjoy offering their services. The positive rapport they develop with patients and the trust our patients have in them, makes this all worth it,’’ she said.

“People who come into the clinic, for whatever reason, trust may have been damaged in the past through negative dental experiences, so these students have learnt to be incredibly patient and understanding.

“For an individual with autism walking into a clinic with bright lights can be very hard, so it’s great to see the students primary focus is on supporting the child or adult in being comfortable, before they put any demands or expectation on them.

“Once they feel comfortable, then it’s likely that they’ll come back for follow up appointments and start taking care of their oral health journey.”

Curtin third year student Sidney Rios said she decided to study a Bachelor of Science (Oral Health Therapy) because a smile was part of someone’s confidence and she wanted to help people be their best confident version of themselves.

Curtin Oral Health Therapy student, Sidney Rios (pictured left) finds working at the Clinic very rewarding.

“Seeing people smile just makes me happy,’’ she said.

“The other day I treated a child who was nonverbal, and despite the challenges, it was such a rewarding experience,’’ she said.

“I had to be extremely patient and think of other ways I could engage and communicate with the child, so they felt at ease.

“Patients who are nonverbal, can show a lot with their facial expression, so I was able to read their emotion by how they were reacting to things.”

“For instance, they really disliked the mirror, so I learnt straight away this was a boundary, and I had to adjust.”

Sidney said she enjoyed building positive connections with her patients and was grateful to Curtin for running a clinic that provided her the experience to deal with a range of patients.

“I find these clinics really rewarding and it empowers me to feel more confident about going out into the workplace and making a difference.”

If you or your family would like to attend an appointment, find out more and submit your expression of interest here.