DentAR: Innovating Dental Visits with Sensory Experiences in AR for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In dental clinics, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often face heightened anxiety and discomfort due to Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), exacerbated by the clinical environment. This study introduces DentAR, an Augmented Reality (AR) environment designed to mitigate SPD-related anxiety in dental settings for individuals with ASD. Developed via a participatory design approach with occupational therapists, dentists, and caregivers, DentAR utilized the sensory integration strategy to modify the sensory characteristics of the dental clinic, by employing visual and auditory stimuli to enhance the dental experience for those with SPD. Preliminary expert evaluations suggest potential benefits in using AR for sensory integration, emphasizing the importance of personalization and user empowerment in the design of therapeutic interventions. This research demonstrates AR's utility in addressing sensory processing challenges in clinical environments, to facilitate accessible therapeutic interventions for diverse sensory needs.