How can a dental clinic be neurodiverse friendly?
As the world becomes more aware of the needs of those with neurodiversity, it is important for dental clinics to create an environment that is welcoming and accommodating to those with neurodiversity. Neurodiversity refers to a range of neurological conditions, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Tourette’s syndrome.
Here are some ways Smile City has tried to become a neurodiverse-friendly dental clinic.
1. Creating a Welcoming Environment: It is important to create an environment that is welcoming and comfortable for those with neurodiversity. This can include providing a quiet space for those who need it, as well as providing sensory items such as weighted blankets or noise-canceling headphones.
2. Educating Staff: It is important for staff to be educated on the needs of those with neurodiversity. This can include understanding how to communicate effectively with those who have difficulty expressing themselves, as well as understanding how to provide accommodations for those who need them.
3. Being adaptable: It is important to individually tailor things for those with neurodiversity. This can include providing extra time for appointments, allowing for breaks during appointments, providing alternative methods of communication and using visual aids. For those with sensory issues changing the chair position, light and background noise levels to suit the patient can also help.
4. Offer Flexible Scheduling: It is important to offer flexible scheduling options for those with neurodiversity. Providing an online bookings system and web based forms to complete helps to make appointments easier. Being able to speak to the dentist or staff via email or SMS/messenger can also be extremely helpful.
5. Creating a Supportive Community: It is important to create a supportive community for those with neurodiversity. Inviting patients to bring support people with them to appointments can help a great deal.
By creating a supportive and understanding environment, dental clinics can ensure that those with neurodiversity feel comfortable and heard.
1. Creating a Welcoming Environment: It is important to create an environment that is welcoming and comfortable for those with neurodiversity. This can include providing a quiet space for those who need it, as well as providing sensory items such as weighted blankets or noise-canceling headphones.
2. Educating Staff: It is important for staff to be educated on the needs of those with neurodiversity. This can include understanding how to communicate effectively with those who have difficulty expressing themselves, as well as understanding how to provide accommodations for those who need them.
3. Being adaptable: It is important to individually tailor things for those with neurodiversity. This can include providing extra time for appointments, allowing for breaks during appointments, providing alternative methods of communication and using visual aids. For those with sensory issues changing the chair position, light and background noise levels to suit the patient can also help.
4. Offer Flexible Scheduling: It is important to offer flexible scheduling options for those with neurodiversity. Providing an online bookings system and web based forms to complete helps to make appointments easier. Being able to speak to the dentist or staff via email or SMS/messenger can also be extremely helpful.
5. Creating a Supportive Community: It is important to create a supportive community for those with neurodiversity. Inviting patients to bring support people with them to appointments can help a great deal.
By creating a supportive and understanding environment, dental clinics can ensure that those with neurodiversity feel comfortable and heard.
