21st Century Medicare Polyclinic has officially been designated as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), a prestigious accreditation awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This designation is granted to healthcare organizations that have completed specialized autism-specific training and certification, equipping their teams to better serve and accommodate autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals across all stages of care.
“At 21st Century Medicare, receiving the IBCCES accreditation is both an honor and a responsibility. It represents our clinic’s dedication to breaking barriers in oral healthcare and ensuring that every individual — including those with special needs — feels seen, supported, and cared for. At our core, we believe dentistry should be inclusive, compassionate, and empowering, and this certification helps us turn that belief into daily practice,” says Dr. Sirisha Emani, FDS, Special Care Dentistry.
As part of the certification process, the 21st Century Medicare team underwent training on autism awareness, communication techniques, and evidence-based best practices, designed to enhance the patient experience for individuals with autism and other sensory needs. An onsite review conducted by IBCCES also ensured the property integrates necessary accommodations, pre-arrival planning tools, and other supportive resources that enhance the experience for neurodivergent visitors.
The clinic has also introduced a variety of sensory-considerate accommodations to ensure a calm and supportive environment for every patient. Appointments can be scheduled during quieter hours to minimize overstimulation, and caregivers are encouraged to be actively involved throughout the visit. From gentle communication strategies to the use of sensory-adapted dental equipment, each step of the patient journey is thoughtfully designed to reduce anxiety and empower individuals to feel safe and in control.
“IBCCES is proud to recognize 21st Century Medicare Polyclinic for its commitment to inclusion and for setting a new standard of care in the UAE,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman and CEO. “Their dedication to creating an environment where every patient — regardless of sensory needs — is treated with dignity and compassion is a model for healthcare providers worldwide.”
For more than two decades, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact.
To further support inclusivity efforts, 21st Century Medicare Polyclinic is featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App™, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.
IBCCES also provides access to resources such as AccessibiltyCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met IBCCES certification requirements.
About 21st Century Medicare Polyclinic
21st Century Medicare Polyclinic is a leading multi-specialty healthcare facility in Dubai, dedicated to delivering comprehensive and patient-centered care. With a focus on inclusivity, innovation, and excellence, the clinic provides specialized dental services designed to meet the unique needs of individuals of all abilities. By combining advanced oral healthcare with a compassionate, sensory-considerate approach, the clinic ensures that every visit is a positive and empowering experience.
About IBCCES
Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For over two decades, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 111 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.
In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare and workplace sectors.
IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.
