SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. - BostonChron -- The New England Center for Children^® (NECC^®), a global leader in autism education and research, announced the opening of the Smigel Supersmile^® Dental Clinic operated by New England Dental Group (NEDG), a new state-of-the-art dental clinic on campus.

The first-of-its-kind clinic will provide on-site dental services for more than 100 residential NECC students with autism, with future plans to expand to day students and employees. The clinic is an expansion of the Smigel Supersmile Dental Program - a dental desensitization protocol that helps prepare children with autism for dental visits.

"Children with autism face many challenges in dental care that can lead to deficient oral health," said NECC CEO Jessica Sassi, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA. "NECC's dental desensitization program and new in-house clinic will alleviate the stress children face, provide needed dental care, and improve quality-of-life."

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The Smigel Supersmile Dental Clinic operated by NEDG is the latest innovation in NECC's mission to transform the lives of children with autism. NECC researchers saw a problem – that dental visits were difficult, if not impossible, for children with autism. They found a way to teach the students one step at a time until they could tolerate going to the dentist, a life-skill curriculum that is now taught around the world where autism educators are using NECC's curriculum through their ACE^® ABA Software.

"The NECC dental clinic is a tremendous benefit to our son Asaminew, whose behavioral and communication issues have prevented him from receiving proper dental care over the last several years," said Louis Primmer, father of a NECC student. "NECC's desensitization program and now the in-school clinic are a game changer for our son's dental and overall health."

The Smigel Supersmile Dental Clinic services are provided by New England Dental Group (NEDG), which offers a full breadth of services and state-of-the-art technology for enhanced care in its nine locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

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About The New England Center for Children

The New England Center for Children^® (NECC^®) is an award-winning autism education center and research institute. Committed to creating a world where autism is not a barrier to happiness, growth, and independence, our community of teachers, researchers, and clinicians provide comprehensive services including day and residential programs, partner classrooms in public school systems, consulting services, and the ACE^® ABA Software System (www.acenecc.org). The New England Center for Children is based in Southborough, MA, and operates a center in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Learn more at www.necc.org.