The webinar “Sedation in Patients with Autism: Safety, Communication and Human-Centred Care” brought together specialists to discuss, in a rigorous and practical way, how conscious sedation can transform access to dental care for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Throughout the session, the main clinical challenges associated with autism were explored — from sensory hypersensitivity to difficulties with cooperation — highlighting how sedation often becomes an essential tool for ensuring safe, predictable and trauma-free dental treatments.
The webinar covered key topics for clinical practice:
• Impact of sensory and behavioural differences
An analysis of how stimuli such as light, sound and touch can cause anxiety and prevent safe dental procedures, and how sedation helps overcome these barriers.
• Communication with families and caregivers
Clear and empathetic communication strategies were shared, essential for building trust, aligning expectations and ensuring a smooth experience for everyone involved.
• Safety criteria and monitoring in conscious sedation
The session outlined the essential steps of the sedation process: clinical evaluation, selection of the most appropriate technique, continuous monitoring, and specialised support before, during and after treatment.
• Human-centred care and inclusion in oral healthcare
The importance of ensuring that no patient is excluded due to cooperation difficulties or behavioural challenges was emphasised, reinforcing sedation as a bridge to high-quality, accessible care.
• Practical examples and recommendations for clinical teams
Real cases, operational protocols and practical guidelines were discussed to help teams work with greater safety, rigour and confidence when treating patients with special needs.
This webinar reflects SedaCare’s commitment to continuous education, empowering clinical teams and raising the standard of conscious sedation in Portugal — always with a focus on safety, respect and dignity for every patient.