Are we human, or are we dentists?

There are often moments in life when you can pinpoint exactly where you were, what you were doing and how you felt. From the ecstasy of your wedding to the moment you found out about a family bereavement, those feelings stay with you for the rest of your life. As dental professionals, it is understandable that, given the pressures exerted by UDAs and the way the contracts are, many patients will be treated and forgotten about by the time the next person is in the chair.

'It is easy to find yourself working outside your comfort zone when working with autistic children'.

Wendy Bellis is Assistant Clinical Director and Specialist Paediatric Senior Dental Officer for Camden and Islington Community Dental Service (Whittington Health). She is considered a world renowned voice on autism and paediatric dentistry, and news editor David Westgarth sat down with her to discuss some of the challenges presented by autistic patients.