Section SOCIETY
TOPIC

Child and Adolescent’s Center
Oral Health and Autism: Promoting Equal Access to Healthier Smiles

The aim of the program is to promote oral health and hygiene among individuals with Autism, leading to an improved quality of life for both the individuals themselves and their caregivers.

Objectives:

  • To educate autistic individuals on the importance and basic principles of oral hygiene and dental care.
  • To promote oral hygiene practices among individuals with Autism and prepare them for receiving dental services.   
  • To inform and educate parents/caregivers on how to support and promote oral hygiene and dental care for individuals with Autism.
  • To raise awareness and provide information to professionals involved in the therapeutic support of autistic individuals, enabling them to contribute to oral health promotion and dental care.
  • To sensitize, inform, and train dentists so they are prepared to provide dental care (both preventive and therapeutic) to individuals with Autism.
  • Individuals with Autism
  • Parents / Caregivers
  • Mental Health and Rehabilitation Professionals
  • Dentists, Pediatric Dentists, and Special Care Dentists
  • General Public     

    January 2022 – March 2025               

This initiative was designed to establish an inclusive framework for oral healthcare for individuals with Autism, starting from a deep understanding of their needs and leading to the development of targeted educational interventions and tools.

It includes the creation of digital guides/manuals for parents/caregivers, therapists, and dentists; the listing of dentists experienced in treating individuals with Autism on a dedicated platform; as well as awareness-raising activities and evidence-based documentation.

A particularly innovative feature of the program is its interdisciplinary collaboration and its emphasis on practical preparation and familiarization of individuals with Autism with the dental care process.      
  • Department of Pediatric Dentistry / Dental School, NKUA (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens)
  • Hellenic Dental Federation
  • Hellenic Pediatric Dentistry Society
  • Hellenic Society of Hospital Dentistry
  • Hellenic Society of Developmental Pediatricians
  • Autism Clinic / Child Psychiatry Clinic, NKUA – “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital

The interdisciplinary team consists of professionals (dentists, child psychiatrists, developmental specialists, psychologists, occupational therapists, documentation scientists), with the contribution of staff from the collaborating organizations. Additionally, there was active participation of volunteers in the creation and dissemination of the educational material.     

Nationwide by online distribution of materials with an emphasis on Attica through collaborating organizations.     

Creation of 3 freely accessible digital manuals for caregivers, professionals, and dentists. The manuals were shared by the involved organizations, with an estimated total audience of over 4,000 recipients (dental associations, parent/caregiver associations of autistic individuals, professional associations supporting autistic individuals). They were also posted on the official websites of the collaborating organizations and on social media platforms. For example, related posts on Facebook and LinkedIn recorded a total of over 3,000 views.

Participation in 2 national conferences    
  • Strengthening the social contribution and visibility of the work of the Child and Adolescent Center
  • Establishing collaborations with universities and scientific institutions
  • Developing specialized expertise in applied education and preparation of individuals with Autism
  • Expanding the scope of activities to include oral health issues