For many autistic young people, visiting the dentist can feel overwhelming. The experience often involves unfamiliar people, bright lights, new sounds and physical contact around the face and mouth. These sensory elements can make dental appointments difficult and may lead to increased anxiety. 

When anxiety builds, attending medical appointments can become a significant barrier. Some young people may become unsettled or distressed in unfamiliar environments, particularly when they are unsure what will happen next.

One young person at Prior's Court, who has recently done an amazing job in overcoming these fears was James, who has always struggled with going to the dentist. Previously, medical appointments have been difficult for James as his levels of anxiety often increased in unfamiliar environments, leading to dropping or becoming unsettled.

This time, due to a number of factors, including the strong relationships he has built with his staff members in Bradbury Cottages since moving to our Young Adult Provision in September 2025, and a lot of time spent practicing dental situations in familiar environments, James was happy, calm, and had no anxiety throughout the process when he visited the dentist at West Berkshire Hospital in early March. 

This progress reflects the collaborative approach used across Prior’s Court. Residential and therapy teams worked together to help reduce James’s anxiety and support him to access essential healthcare in a way that felt manageable and safe.

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Once in the dentist, James waited patiently to be called and then remained calm and patient while in the waiting room. James's Autism Practitioner, Ransford, said "He followed every instruction from the dentist and coped really well with all the machinery. He even handled an X-ray session with the same impressive calm and patience. We are so proud of how well James did today. Everyone at the clinic was impressed with him." 

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