Project Description:
This project addresses the need for improved access to high-quality oral health care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Jackson and Lafayette Counties. People with IDD experience poorer health than the general population and have inadequate access to both health promotion and quality health care (Rimmer, et al, 2010; National Council on Disability, 2009). When it comes to oral health, people with IDD have a significantly higher rate of poor oral hygiene and need for periodontal disease treatment than the general population, due to a wide variety of factors (Binkley, et al., 2014, Minihan, et al., 2012). These include higher rates of chronic diseases, requiring medications that cause gum swelling and accelerate tooth decay. Many people who have IDD rely on paid direct support professionals or family members to provide their routine oral health care directly, and those who are able to perform their own oral hygiene tasks may require some assistance and supervision. In addition, individuals with very limited cognitive abilities can become combative with caregivers, further limiting their ability to receive adequate oral care. While oral health care is part of the training that most paid direct support professionals receive, the current training is minimal, and is not standardized throughout the system. Family members may receive no training at all. There is a clear need to improve training and support for all persons involved in the oral health of adults with IDD (Binckley et al., 2014).
Dental professionals often report difficulty treating individuals with IDD without using stabilization techniques. Dental professionals who treat Missourians with IDD estimate, on average, that 20% to 50% more time is needed and in many cases support from additional staff is required. Cognitive functioning and communication pose further barriers to access, especially when the dental professionals have not received training in effective techniques for working with people with IDD (MO DHSS, 2007). Dental professionals self-report a lack of knowledge and a need for additional training to treat patients with special needs (Watters, et al. 2015).
Research shows many dental students trained in the U.S. are inadequately prepared to provide services for people with IDD (Wolf, et al., 2004). Sixty-eight percent of students surveyed report receiving five hours or less of instruction devoted to care for people with IDD. While the School of Dentistry at UMKC does provide opportunity for students to gain clinical experience at the Division of DDs Kansas City Regional Office, this training alone cannot meet the need for enough adequately trained professionals to serve the greater metro area. The current shortage of dentists trained and willing to treat people with IDD requires an intervention that targets dentists who are already practicing.
Project objectives:
Objective #1: To increase capacity of dental professionals to serve people with IDD.
Objective #2: To increase the capacity of disability service providers, family caregivers, and individuals with IDD to implement effective oral hygiene practices.
Objective #3: To promote policy and practice changes by oral health providers, disability service providers, EITAS, and other related organizations and systems that will improve access to quality dental care for individuals with IDD.
The overall project goal is to ensure an oral health care system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) that provides easy access to quality dental care, resulting in better oral health, better dental care, and lower costs.
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances
