The Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) project was created to help neurodiverse children feel more comfortable and prepared for dental appointments through the Primary School Mobile Dental Program van.
Before the project, there were no resources available to help children with developmental disorders become familiar with the mobile dental environment. To address this, the team created a range of tailored resources including a patient journey video, sensory flipbooks, and a “What to Pack” list.
The project achieved a 100% compliance rate for patients completing treatment at their first appointment, improving from a baseline of 50%, with results remaining above 91% between June 2025 and May 2026. Children showed greater readiness for treatment, reduced anxiety and improved cooperation during appointments. Clinicians also reported more efficient appointments, fewer escalations in behaviour and smoother clinic workflows.
