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About

What makes Autism Smiles Unique

Autism Smiles was founded in 2019 by a group of dedicated faculty, students and staff from the Department of Public Health and Community Service and the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. We partner with families through virtual and in-person sessions, where we demonstrate and guide the parent/caregiver on how to utilize the beneficial tools and resources in our Autism Smiles sensory toolkit. Click here to learn more about TUSDM.

Autism Smiles supports parents and caregivers of children with ASD by providing resources and tools to prepare for dental visits. Our telehealth visit (via Zoom) creates a safe place where families can discuss what to expect at a dental visit, strategies for cleaning their child’s teeth, and how to use the items contained in the sensory tool kit.

This virtual program enables families to focus on their child’s oral health, offers suggestions for integrating at-home care, and helps them prepare for upcoming dental appointments. It also gives dental students the opportunity to interact with families of children with ASD, refining their skills and gaining valuable experience.

One of the aims of Autism Smiles is to help every child who participates find a dental home that fosters an ongoing relationship with the dentist, patient, and family, promoting comprehensive oral health care. We accomplish this by providing contact information for dental clinics that focus on caring for children with ASD and by following up on the referrals.

Autism Smiles Leadership

Martha Forero RDH, DDS, MS is an Assistant Professor, and Director of the Josiah Quincy Elementary School-Based Dental Program, Department of Public Health and Community Service, TUSDM. Dr. Forero is a pediatric dentist involved in the implementation of oral health programs for underserved children such as Give Kids a Smile, Lessons in a Lunchbox and Autism Smiles programs that promote dental health education and prevention in local communities. She is the faculty advisor of the Hispanic Dental Association Student Chapter, the Autism Smiles and the Special Smiles student organizations at TUSDM. In addition, Dr. Forero speaks Spanish, French and Turkish.

Kathryn Dolan RDH, MEd is an Assistant Professor, and Director of the Tufts Community Dental Program, Department of Public Health and Community Service, TUSDM. Ms. Dolan’s career in public health began over 35 years ago establishing community-based dental programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is the faculty advisor of the Special Smiles student organization and Community Cares Club at TUSDM.

Claudia Lucia Martínez BS is a Senior Dental Assistant at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School-Based Dental Program and a pre-dental student.

The program is also supported by Nancy Marks, Tisch/TUSDM Coordinator for Community Service, Zhanea Nicholson, Administrative Assistant, Department of Public Health and Community Service, and an awesome group of TUSDM student leaders committed to this work.

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