Tennesseans With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Aren’t Getting Dental Treatment. What Needs to Change?

RIVER FOREST, Ill., August 27, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face excessive wait times for dental appointments and higher rates of tooth extraction, according to a new report by the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) and Harmony Health. 

Funded by the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, “The Landscape of Dental Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Tennessee” points to numerous contributing factors, including gaps in training and geographic barriers to dental care.

“Oral health is a critical need for all individuals, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Kelli Bingham, Executive Director of Harmony Health. “This report highlights the extensive access challenges that Tennesseans with disabilities are experiencing in receiving necessary oral health services. With data and insights gleaned from this report, we can now continue the journey to improving the care experience for individuals with disabilities.”

“Tennesseans with disabilities, especially those with IDD, are experiencing structural, social, and clinical barriers to accessing dental care,” said Dr. Annaliese Cothron, Co-Founder and Executive Director of AIDPH. “We are committed to finding sustainable, data-driven solutions that improve oral healthcare access in Tennessee for people with disabilities.”

Data from this report pointed to major challenges for IDD patients. Notably, over 50% of dental providers sampled wouldn’t see a child patient with IDD, often citing a lack of training. Clinics able to treat IDD children were not geographically dispersed, resulting in a 97-minute average round-trip travel time, and an average wait time of over 100 days for an initial appointment. 

Strategic Recommendations 

The report highlights nine strategic recommendations for improving oral health for Tennesseeans with IDD, including:

1. Clinical supports, including IDD-specific learning modules, certification programs for providers who treat IDD patients, and addressing Medicaid barriers to dental care delivery. 
2. Integrated approaches to dental and primary care delivery, especially during the transition from pediatric to adult care to ensure that IDD patients aren’t left behind. 
3. Leveraging technology through teledentistry, mobile health apps, and salivary diagnostic tools such as those offered through Oral Genome to reduce workforce demands.

Read the full report including all the strategic recommendations on the AIDPH website.

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Harmony Health aims to advance health equity through innovative technology, empowering underserved communities. Through collaboration and advocacy, we uplift marginalized populations, ensuring tangible improvements in oral health and overall community wellbeing.

AIDPH is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming dental public health through collaboration, connection, and community. Serving as a catalyst for change, AIDPH advocates for a justice-oriented oral health system that prioritizes equity and inclusion in our core focus areas: veterans, LGBTQIA, rural, and disability communities. AIDPH empowers communities to advance oral health through research, education, and advocacy.

Source: AIDPH