Appreciative Reflection on the Success of Autism Smiles Day

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, the Tufts Dental Autism Smiles Team came together for Autism Smiles Day. This event was designed to create a supportive, sensory-friendly environment for children on the autism spectrum. The collective goal stood to provide a space where the children experienced behavior guidance-based desensitization to dental care in a way that catered to their unique needs.

The day was filled with warm smiles and welcoming energy as volunteers, faculty, and pediatric residents worked together to ensure the children felt at ease. From fun activities to individualized desensitization sessions, we focused on making dental visits less stressful and enjoyable for everyone.

A highlight of the event was the sensory bags, packed with practical items, such as communication boards, to assist the children on their oral health journey beyond the event utilizing the Tell-Show-Do method. These bags were a meaningful takeaway, offering practical support for future dental visits and at-home care to assist guardians and therapists.

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Supporters

Autism Smiles Day wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible efforts of our student volunteers, Tufts faculty and staff, and pediatric residents. Your hard work and dedication brought this vision to life. We’d also like to give special recognition to our E-board for months of planning and preparation, ensuring everything ran smoothly. 

Your commitment impacted the families we served, and we are excited to continue this tradition.

With sincere thanks,

The Autism Smiles Team