Over a third (36%) of people with visible and non-visible disabilities feel anxious or frustrated when it comes to visiting the dentist. For instance, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder may experience heightened anxiety in unfamiliar environments such as a dental practice, as it disrupts their normal routine. Similarly, a patient with Cerebral Palsy, who may face motor challenges without intellectual disability, might find it difficult to brush their teeth effectively due to limitations in fine motor coordination.

To help overcome this, the Disability Champions Award Programme encourages one member of each dental practice across Europe to become the personal lead to ensure their practice is committed to be more disability positive - because sometimes all it takes is one person to truly make a difference.

By completing the necessary online training and accessibility suggestions devised by iADH and Oral-B (available at https://www.iadh.org/oral-b-iadh-disability-champions/) dental staff who meet the requirements will earn their Disability Champions award. They receive a badge that can be used within their office or on social media to encourage others to become Disability Champions. Their practice will also be visible on Oral-B’s website to make it easier for people with disabilities and their caregivers to find disability positive dental practices near them, and to feel more confident and encouraged about visiting the dentist.

Benjamin Binot, P&G Europe Oral Care Senior Vice President, said: “Last year, we launched The Big Rethink initiative in partnership with iADH to rethink how Oral-B can make oral care more inclusive, accessible, and positive for people with disabilities, their caregivers, and everyone in between. This year, we are making our intention good by driving action amongst dental practitioners with the Disability Champions Awards Programme. With our long-term partners, the iADH, we have devised a programme that is straightforward for dental staff to undertake and promote, and that demonstrates their commitment to raising the standard of oral care for people with disabilities.”

Professor. Pedro Diz Dios, President Elect of iADH, said: “At the iADH, we are about promoting equitable oral care. However, we often find that dental practitioners have pre-conceived notions of what makes their practice inclusive, accessible, and positive for people with disabilities and their caregivers. We want to help dentists rethink how to provide a better service for all and believe that appointing one person in the organization to become a Disability Champion will help drive the right change forward. The hope is that as many dental practices as possible across Europe take part in the Disability Champions Award Programme and make better oral care for all a reality.”

The Disability Champions Awards Programme is being launched at Oral-B’s ‘Championing the Perfect Clean for All’ global event being held in Amsterdam between 15-16th May. Over 100+ media, dental professionals and people with disabilities will learn more about the programme, hear inspiring stories from the latest Disability Champions, and experience first-hand how Oral-B plans to bring a better oral care experience to people with disabilities - at the dentist practice and at home. Indeed, Oral-B is previewing its new Oral-B iO2 toothbrush that will bring its revolutionary iO technology to a wider audience, including people with disabilities.

The iO2 is crafted to effortlessly transition manual toothbrush users to electric toothbrushes by bringing Oral-B’s iO technology to life with one simple touch for a simpler, more intuitive cleaning experience that’s tough on plaque and gentle on gums! The dentist-inspired round brush head surrounds teeth, perfectly adapting to their unique shape, removing 100% more bacterial plaque than regular manual brushes even in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. The iO2 will also come with a new brush head with Smart Bristles that now fully fade their colour to white, making it easy to know when it's time to change your brush head.