About
What is ToothPASTE?
ToothPASTE is a website that supports parents and carers in looking after their child's teeth. It offers simple advice tailored for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with a particular focus on autistic children. The website was co-designed by parents, early-years professionals, and researchers from the Universities of Leeds, Manchester, and Sheffield.
Why does toothPASTE matter?
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1 in 4 autistic children have tooth decay by 5 years old.
Toothbrushing and limiting sugary foods and drinks can be hard.
Attending the dentist can be challenging and more likely to lead to hospital treatment.
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Toothache is painful and it only gets harder with age. Many parents say they wish they’d started brushing earlier.
Tooth decay is common but can be prevented. In England, about one in four five-year-olds has tooth decay. If it isn’t treated, it can cause toothache, trouble sleeping, and difficulty eating. It can even stop children from going to school and enjoying their day. In fact, tooth decay is the main reason young children go to hospital, costing the NHS over £50 million a year.
For autistic children, looking after teeth can be even harder. Brushing might feel uncomfortable because of sensory sensitivities, and some foods they prefer may contain lots of sugar. Going to the dentist can also be stressful, and autistic children are twice as likely to need treatment under general anaesthetic.
ToothPASTE was created specifically to support families facing these challenges, offering practical, autism-friendly advice and resources.
Summary of the research behind toothPASTE
Watch our Research Project Manager, Amrit, discuss the toothPASTE study:
The Research Behind ToothPASTE
The development of ToothPASTE was guided by research and collaboration with parents of autistic children, autistic children themselves, and early-years professionals. We worked with a group of parents with personal experience, called our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) panel, who helped us make sure the website meets real needs and challenges that families face every day.
Understanding what worked and did not work
We looked at existing research and spoke with autistic children, parents, and early-years professionals to understand what makes caring for children’s teeth challenging and what can help. Parents often described toothbrushing as a “battle,” with children struggling with sensory issues, like the taste and feel of toothpaste. Professionals, who are often asked for advice on oral health, wanted more training to feel confident in helping families.
Co-designing the toothPASTE website
Together with our parent panel, early-years professionals, and other key partners, we created the ToothPASTE website through a series of workshops. These workshops focused on everyday challenges, like toothbrushing, healthy eating, and dentist visits, to design what the website would include to help families.
You can find a plain summary detailing our research here.
