Ever since she was a small child, Aishnika Paul, a nine-year-old from BC Block diagnosed with Down syndrome, would have to be accompanied to different parts of Calcutta and beyond for various therapies — speech, occupational, behavioural, physiotherapy etc. “Often, we felt at a loss with nobody to guide us,” said her father Birojit. Amid the running around, dental care, an area of concern for special kids, often got neglected, he pointed out.

He decided to be the change he wanted to see. Thus was born Soulful Steps, a therapy cum activity centre for special children in BD Block. “We set up the centre last year to help out special kids with therapies and treatment as well as help in their integration with mainstream society. Now parents don’t have to run to different places for the various needs of their kids anymore,” said Birojit, the managing trustee of the organisation that already has 68 special children registered from Salt Lake, all over Calcutta, Shillong and even Bangladesh.

Birojit’s daughter Aishnika was one of the children attending a dental care camp for special kids organised recently by Soulful Steps.

The dental camp had paediatric and preventive dentist Shreya Dasgupta offering advice to parents of special children, many of whom had neglected dental care as they shuttled to avail of different therapies.

“Speech and teeth development are often late for kids with disabilities. The teeth are irregularly shaped for many. They are also more prone to fissured tongue and deformed palate. Sometimes food pouching (keeping food in the mouth) can cause them cavities and gum infections,” said the Pune-based doctor.

According to her, dental counselling should take place right from pre-natal stage, especially if the ultra-sonography reveals any anomaly in the child. “A mother’s oral health is as important as her mental and physical well-being. Gum infections in pregnant women can affect the weight of babies,” said Dasgupta.

Eight-year-old Aratrik Dutta from Kalindi, Lake Town, has got his milk tooth late and now his permanent set is taking time to come out. He was brought to Soulful Steps for his first-ever consultation with a dentist. “He is hyperactive and also suffers from gum irritation at times. This is his first time at a dentist’s. Previously we would only go to his pediatrician and various activity therapists,” said Olympia, mother of the child who suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

According to Dasgupta, the lockdown, combined with hyper-activity and greater consumption of sweets and processed food, has led to further increase in gum infection and cavity among kids. “Only those with emergency situations were being brought to us. We were advising regular care at home that included brushing twice, flossing, rinsing after each meal and a balanced diet for all. Children suffering from cerebral palsy, whose movements are often restricted, face more dental issues and gum infections. They should not be neglected,” said the paediatric dentist.

According to another visitor, Kalyan Ghosh of FB Block, his son Sourish ’s milk teeth have decayed and are protruding. “The problem with special kids is they cannot communicate properly. So many health issues get overlooked as a result. I was told to consult a dentist after my son crossed six years. I am here for guidance,” said the father whose son suffers from ADHD and ASD.

The children and their parents were counselled and told what to do for better dental health.

“We plan to conduct regular health and activity camps here. We have a room for occupational therapy. We have been providing early intervention guidance, speech, language therapy, physiotherapy, sensory integration therapy, behavioral therapy, special education guidance and dance movement therapy among other things.