Oral health care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A statewide model

Abstract

AbstractBackground and AimEffective strategies and practices can assist in forming future initiatives and policies to improve oral health for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This manuscript aims to describe the Tufts Dental Facilities (TDF), a university‐state collaboration providing sustained statewide access to comprehensive oral health care for individuals with IDD.Program DescriptionThe TDF program was established in 1976 as the result of a class action lawsuit to improve medical and dental care for individuals with IDD residing at state institutions in Massachusetts. TDF, A partnership, between Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a network of seven dental clinics strategically positioned across the state. These clinics are specifically designed to meet the oral health needs of individuals with IDD. TUSDM's oral health providers with expertise in special care dentistry deliver comprehensive oral health care for over 6500 individuals with IDD, incorporating supportive care services and access to general anesthesia. Additionally, the program provides training in special care dentistry for dental residents and pre‐doctoral dental students.ConclusionsLeveraging state and university resources, TDF provides a model of a sustainable, long‐term system for statewide access to oral health care for individuals with IDD.