An online toolkit designed by University of Leeds and supported by NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber has been featured by the BBC for its impact on families of autistic children.
The new website, called toothPASTE, was recently highlighted by BBC Local News for its innovative approach to one of the most significant challenges facing parents of autistic children: oral health.
Addressing a Critical Health Gap
While nearly one in four autistic children have tooth decay by age five—a rate similar to the wider population—research shows they are significantly less likely to visit a dentist. Most concerningly, they are twice as likely to require dental treatment under general anaesthetic due to the distress caused by traditional dental visits and sensory sensitivities.
Dr Amrit Chauhan, a researcher at the University of Leeds and an expert in the oral health of autistic children, co-led the research and building of the website. Speaking to the BBC, she explained that the toolkit was built out of necessity: “We’re hearing time and time again that families are really struggling. We developed the website to help families feel confident in looking after their children’s teeth.”
Support for Families
The BBC feature shared the story of Anne-Marie, a mother from Mirfield whose sons had 12 teeth removed under general anaesthetic before the age of 10. She described the experience of toothbrushing as “overwhelming,” leading to distress and self-harm for her children.
Find out more about toothPASTE here