{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,23]],"date-time":"2026-10-23T20:40:54Z","timestamp":1792788054161,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]],"date-time":"2026-03-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773100800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]],"date-time":"2026-04-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776297600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":37,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Oral Health"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Autistic children and young people (CYP) experience inequalities in oral health. They are at higher risk of dental caries and periodontal disease and are more likely to have teeth extracted under general anaesthetic than their non-autistic peers. Poor oral health among autistic CYP results from multiple factors, including sensory sensitivities, communication differences, and difficulties accessing appropriate dental care. This qualitative study explored factors influencing autistic CYP\u2019s access to dental care from the perspective of CYP, parents\/carers, and dental health professionals (DHPs).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit autistic CYP, parents\/carers, and DHPs in Southwest England. Data were collected online, by telephone, or face-to-face according to participant preference and accessibility needs. Interviews followed co-produced topic guides covering daily oral care, challenges and enablers, dental visit experiences, and views on improving support for autistic CYP. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using inductive and deductive coding within NVivo 12.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Nineteen autistic CYP (aged 5\u201318 years), 20 parents\/carers, and 16 DHPs were interviewed. Analysis revealed a complex interplay of individual, provider, and organisational factors shaping access to dental care. Sensory, communicative, and systemic challenges intersected, affecting how care was experienced, delivered, and sustained. Three overarching domains were identified: (1) CYP-related factors, including sensory sensitivities, communication differences, anxiety, and transition challenges; (2) provider-related factors, such as awareness of autism, rapport, flexibility, and time constraints; and (3) organisational influences, including NHS contract limitations, poor information sharing, and the need for autism-focused training.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Autistic CYP face distinct barriers to dental care, compounded during transition to adulthood. NHS dental professionals often lack the time, flexibility, and continuity required for individualised support. Enhancing information-sharing, referral pathways, integrated care, and autism-informed training could improve equity and accessibility. Findings highlight the need for system- and professional-level interventions to ensure dental care is inclusive and responsive to autistic CYP.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12903-026-08068-1","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]],"date-time":"2026-03-10T06:05:20Z","timestamp":1773122720000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Exploring factors influencing autistic children and young people\u2019s access to dental care in Southwest England: a qualitative study of children, parents, and dental professionals"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"26","author":[{"given":"Jo","family":"Erwin","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sarah","family":"Neill","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tara","family":"Vassallo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Robert","family":"Witton","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Louise","family":"Peters","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Isaac","family":"Vassallo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Abigail","family":"Nelder","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Martha","family":"Paisi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"8068_CR1","unstructured":"Office for Health Inequalities and Disparities, National Dental Epidemiology Programme (NDEP). for England: oral health survey of 5-year-old children 2022. 2023 [accessed 02\/03\/2024]; Available from: https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-children-2022\/national-dental-epidemiology-programme-ndep-for-england-oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-children-2022#:~:text=In%20this%20survey%20of%205,had%20experience%20of%20dentinal%20decay"},{"key":"8068_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","unstructured":"Heilmann A, Tsakos G, Watt RG et al. 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It has been conducted in full compliance with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent or assent was obtained from all study participants. Age- and ability-appropriate information sheets, consent, and assent forms were developed, using simple language and visual aids to support understanding. Consent procedures were tailored according to participants\u2019 age and capacity. Parents\u2019 or legal guardians\u2019 consent was sought to approach children and young people about taking part in the study. For children aged 5\u201310 years (based on chronological age or equivalent level of understanding), consent for participation was obtained from their parent or legal guardian. Where possible, written assent was also obtained from the child, and verbal assent was reconfirmed at the start of their interview.For CYP aged 11\u201317 years assessed to have Gillick competency, written consent was obtained directly from the young person, with the assessment of competency made by the parent or guardian. For those deemed not Gillick competent, consent was obtained from the parent or legal guardian, with the written and\/or verbal assent of the child or young person.Written informed consent was obtained from participants aged 18\u201319 and all other adult participants, including parents\/carers and dental health professionals.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Not applicable.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"681"}}