Smiling Wide: How This Dentist Created a Sensory-Friendly Experience

Soothing the Senses with Sensory-Friendly Solutions

You might think a dentist for adults with autism is sensory-friendly dentist who caters solely to autistic patients. However, many people from all walks of life seek out dentists who understand and manage the sensory overload that can occur during dental appointments.

Sensory sensitivities are more common than you might realize, affecting individuals with a wide range of conditions, including:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety Disorders
• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• In fact, over 25 different disabilities or differences!

For these individuals, the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures associated with dental care can be overwhelming and lead to avoidance or negative experiences.

The good news is that sensory-friendly dentistry benefits everyone! By incorporating calming techniques, offering flexible scheduling, and creating a welcoming environment, dentists can provide a more positive and comfortable experience for all patients.

This includes, but isn’t limited to, pediatric dentists and dentists specializing in care for autistic individuals.

Dr. Peggy Bown’s Luxe Dental Group is Sensory-Friendly, Autism-Friendly and Patient-rriendly

Luxe Dental Group is a premier example of a sensory-friendly dental practice.    Dr. Bown and her team created the first sensory-friendly dentist experience in the city of Saint John, the province of New Brunswick and I daresay all of Canada!

With a large staff and clinic, they take special care throughout to focus on patient experience and do so in all aspects of dental care throughout their space.  Dr. Bown is my dentist, so her journey to becoming sensory-friendly has been woven throughout my visits over the last several years. She even met with me while she was designing her new dental clinic to consult and plan a sensory-friendly, accessible and inclusive experience from its creation.  We talked through many facets to make the building and the patient experience accessible and enjoyable.  She brought in a multitude of experts to design the space continues to research and implement best practices. Every sensory experience in her clinic is designed with care and putting the patient first.

In this blog post, learn what to expect from a sensory-friendly dentist as a patient.  Furthermore, get information as dentists to become sensory-friendly. 

A Sensory-Friendly Dentist: Tailoring Care for All Eight Sense

Small changes to the sensory-experience for the eight senses in dental care will also support autism-friendly dental practices.   It isn’t just children with autism who struggle with dental care. Dentists for adults with autism are needed too.  Furthermore, a sensory-friendly dentist will help people with special needs, people who simply have sensory sensitivity and people of all ages who experience sensory overload.

See

As a sensory-friendly dentist, Dr. Bown and her team provide special tinted glasses for patients to wear.  They also have special light covers on overhead fixtures.  The lighting throughout the office is adjustable and they take full advantage of daylight too.
They have taken special care to achieve the right balance of something engaging to look at and not too much visual distraction.  Ceiling mounted screens are available for patients to watch and walls have interesting artwork.

Hear

The Luxe Dental Group has noise-cancelling headphones that patients can wear while in the chair to listen to music.  They also offer earmuffs to block out sound. The rooms are also designed with sliding doors to dampen sound between treatment rooms.

Taste

The dental clinic has warm, filtered water for its patients during treatment.  How thoughtful is that?  And a choice of flavours for treatments too.

Touch

Even though the clinic uses modern dental practices with avant-garde tools and equipment to make dental care quick, painless and the least invasive possible.  There are little details that also speak to their attention to the tactile sense.  For example, in the waiting area, they have different types of seating including individual armchairs, beanbag chairs for children and bench seating options too.

Moreover, they offer weighted blankets that have a calming effect.  Additionally, at the end of each treatment, you can have a warm, damp cloth for your face and hands.

Smell

Dr. Bown had a special air purifier installed.  The team also offers individual calming scents for patients during treatment.  Purified, filtered air is helpful for people who like a scent-free experience.  Notably, essential oils can also be calming for people who like scents.

Movement

Luxe Dental Group has fully adjustable patient chairs for optimal comfort.  They offer knee pillows or leg elevation pillows to reduce back strain too. The team also pays close attention to its ergonomics.  Dental staff can easily sustain awkward postures and have repeated movements in proffering dental care.  Healthy staff provides better health care to patients!

Balance

Dr. Bown chose to create her clinic in a flat building that is wheelchair accessible.  I love the little stool they provide at the entrance where outdoor boots and shoes are removed.  In addition, their long-handled shoehorn is a must at any entrance!  The patient chairs/lounges are height adjustable, making it easy for patients to get up and down from them.

Interoception

Interoception is your internal body sense.  It tells you when you are hungry, thirsty or have to go to the toilet.  The clinic has filtered water to drink for patients too!  There is a patient toilet near the front of the clinic, that is wheelchair accessible.

A Model Sensory Friendly Dental Care Team

Creating Comfort and Confidence for All Patients

As a sensory-friendly dentist, Dr. Bown has also created a warm, inviting multi-purpose room for her team.  Moreover, all aspects of the comfort of her team are just as important as the patient care they provide.  I hope this example of a sensory-friendly dental practice, Luxe Dental Group, illustrates a dentist for adults with autism and dentists for anyone who wants or needs a sensory-wonderful experience.

Watch an interview with Dr. Peggy Bown, Dr. Dhilip Kashuri Rengan and Sensory Friendly Solutions Founder and CEO Christel Seeberger about being sensory-friendly:

Check out these images with some of the Luxe Dental Group clinic’s sensory-friendly features:

Have you ever envisioned a space where all your patients feel comfortable and welcome, regardless of sensory sensitivities? Sensory-friendly design isn’t just a dream; it’s a powerful tool for creating truly inclusive environments.

How to Implement Sensory-Friendly Practices in Your Dental Office

Ready to make your business more inclusive? Explore our range of courses, resources, and expert insights designed to help you create welcoming environments for everyone. Whether you’re just starting or looking to enhance your current practices, we have the tools and guidance you need. From comprehensive training to the latest industry tips, take the next step toward inclusivity today!

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