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?
Video summary
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.