Autistic DC(14) and NHS dentist

[TheCentreCannotHold]

DC1(14) is autistic and has a terrible fear of visiting our NHS dentist. The dentist is very kind and understanding and has found a way of examining DC's teeth after a fashion, with minimal 'interference'. DC is mostly OK with this, but the success of attending a booked appointment hinges on everything being 'just right', otherwise we just can't get there. Naturally, I'm scared of losing DC1's place in the event of too many cancellations.
Has anyone got any experience of this or how we might take steps to ensure DC1 is protected from being 'struck off'? I'm about to book the next check-up, and the pressure to get it right is immense.

You need to find the specialist dentist that serves your (broadly defined) area and has training to treat children with additional needs. Can you look on the "local offer" page for your LA and see if ASD groups and other parents can point you in the right direction? Even just a recommendation of a different dentist with excellent social skills might help (that's why we will stick to our dentist whatever happens!)

I second getting a referral to the special care community dental service. They are set up to care for people with additional needs. There will, however, be a waiting list, but the current dentist must make reasonable adjustments.

You will be very unlikely to get a referral to a community clinic unless your child has a problem that needs to be treated. Unfortunately community are under a lot of pressure and these days will refer back to a general dentist once treatment has been completed unless there are severe issues with co operation. Most areas will not offer routine check ups in community except for those in most need.
However discuss the situation with your dentist , particularly if you have had to cancel appointments at short notice (24 hours or less). Do not book family appointments all at the same time so if you have to cancel then at least it is only one appointment .
With the pressures on community I really would try to keep onside with your dentist and avoid last minute cancellations as much as you can.

That depends on the area. Not all areas routinely discharge DC with the needs OP’s DS has and some do keep such DC on after treatment for routine checkups.

Thank you for your responses.
We've only cancelled once; our last appointment was relocated with 2 hours notice to another clinic in a nearby village due to a flood in the consulting room, and DC1 just couldn't get her head around it at all, so just me and DC2 attended and cancelled DC1's appointment. They were very sweet about it and didn't even charge me for my check-up, but it got me thinking. Lolly, yes, I think 'severe issues with cooperation' just about covers it, as does 'blind panic'... Poor DC1. On the plus side, she's diligent about her oral hygiene.