— THE COMMUNITY SSUE He Wasnt Dilficult. On meeting patients where they are — and the quiet labor of making care actually accessible. Lisa Curbow, RDH, BAAS, CDP The Community The first time I met him, he barely made eye con- ous. This was not their first attempt at dental care. tact.
He was a teenager with autism, anxious, un- They had already been to three other offices. One of sure, and struggling to process everything happen- them turned them away as soon as they walked in. ing around him. Communication was limited. When I heard that, I made a quiet decision.
We were Staying still was difficult. His parent stood close by, not going to be the fourth. trying to reassure him, but the hesitation was obvi- HE WASN'T DIFFICULT. HE WAS OVERWHELMED I have seen moments like this before, not just in the operatory, but at home. As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I understand how much early ex- periences shape everything that comes after.
With my own son, I started early. I looked in his mouth daily, brushed his teeth multiple times a day, and in- troduced tools like mirrors so he could become fa- miliar with what we do. I was also able to bring him into the office when he was young so he could expe- rience the real sounds, sights, and rhythms of a dental setting. That early exposure made a differ- ence.
But I also know that not every family has that opportunity. Families like his often arrive carrying more than just a dental need. They bring past experiences, un- certainty, and the quiet fear that this visit might go the same way as the last. We did not rush into treatment.
We focused on building trust first. We met him where he was and adjusted everything around him to support that. At that first visit, we were able to take X-rays and intraoral pho- tos, something that had never been done success- fully before. That alone was a meaningful step forward.
From there, he was scheduled for treatment un- der sedation to complete a full reset of his oral health. That allowed us to address his immediate needs safely. But the real progress came after that. At his next visit, we brought him back for routine care.
This time, I talked him through everything I was doing, step by step, giving him time to process and respond in his own way. There was no rushing. I was able to complete his cleaning in the office. We took X-rays again.
The doctor completed an exam. Each visit became a little easier. His anxiety decreased. His tolerance improved.
He began to trust the process. That kind of progress does not happen by acci- dent. It happens when we are willing to change how we approach care. What stayed with me the most was not just what we accomplished clinically, but what his parent said at the end of that visit.
She thanked us over and over. She told us she could tell we truly cared. That we were willing to try. That we treated her child with com- passion and respect.
That was the moment that mattered. Because patients like him are often labeled as dif- ficult or uncooperative. But that is not what I see. I see patients who are overwhelmed.
Patients who do not feel safe yet. Patients who have not been given the opportunity to succeed. And when we change the way we show up for them, everything changes. Lisa Curbow, RDH, BAAS, CDP Lisa Curbow, RDH, is a dental hygienist with 27 years of clinical experience and a passion for improving access to care for patients who are often underserved in dentistry.
For the past 16 years, much of her work has focused on caring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, sensory challenges, and complex medical conditions. She is known for creating a safe and supportive environment for patients who may struggle in the typical dental setting. In addition to her clinical work, Lisa is an educator, speaker, and consultant who develops practical tools, including sensory kits and visual storyboards, to improve patient experiences and support more inclusive care.