Although children with special needs are at higher risk of dental decay, there have been few resources developed to help parents understand the importance of oral health and how to care for their child’s mouth. Our team wanted to change that! Brush resources were created after consulting with parents, early interventionists, and dental professionals about the problems they face and how to best educate parents.

We have developed an interactive flip chart designed for use from prenatal through childhood, 16 associated parent handouts, and short videos to assist parents and caregivers of children with special needs. The flip chart covers common oral health issues and obstacles related to specific disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more.

Also answered are common questions, such as how to find a dentist, tips for toothbrushing, what to do in the event of a mouth injury, and how to care for a child’s teeth when they don’t take food orally. We also offer a curriculum kit, complete with tooth models for demonstration, handouts and an interactive flip chart.