Oral Health Care for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

If you have a developmental disability or are at the parent or caregiver of a person with developmental disabilities , please complete our survey on perceptions and satisfaction related to oral health.

If you're a dentist or hygienist, please complete our survey on access and barriers to dental care for persons with disabilities.

Thank you for Visiting!

Oral health care for persons with developmental disabilitiesWhether you’re a family member or care provider, you’re well aware of the many challenges with regard to accessing dental care for people with developmental disabilities and the people who support them. 

Dental care is the most pressing healthcare need among people with developmental disabilities.  That’s why Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester Medical Center is partnering with the Golisano Foundation to gather data to better understand the depth and breadth of the situation.   We’re gathering as much data and information from as many sources as possible so we can make recommendations by this summer.

We Need your Help

 Your timely input is critical! You can help in a few ways:

  • Sign up to receive updates and other information related to this project.
  • Participate in  the task force plenary sessions that will be held in the coming months
  • Please spread the word!  Invite family members, friends and colleagues who have any involvement with a person or people with developmental disabilities to participate. Do you know of newsletters, blogs or Facebook sites related to Rochester-area clients with developmental disabilities?  Here’s a blurb to send them.

Thank you!

Next Steps

Based on your input, solid information, plenary sessions for all stakeholders,  and successful national models, our community task force will develop a set of practical action-oriented recommendations for substantially improving the availability and accessibility of oral health care for people with developmental disabilities.

In cooperation with area educational institutions providing training for oral health providers and community social service organizations that serve people with developmental disabilities, these recommendations in turn will provide a firm foundation for aggressively seeking support from state and federal agencies and foundations for launching a program designed to significantly improve the oral health services available to all people with developmental disabilities living in the greater Rochester area.

Background Information

It’s estimated that a significant portion of the 135,000 people in New York with developmental disabilities live in the Finger Lakes region. Most live in community based group homes and rely on nearby providers for health and dental care. But providers who are adequately accredited or trained to care for these patients are few and far between.

Several factors contribute to the poor oral health and hygiene of people with developmental disabilities, including physical limitations, complex medical conditions, behavioral issues, and increased incidence of early decay.  Other challenges arise due to access, transportation, insurance, and the small number of available dentists who can accommodate the unique needs of this population.

For more background, published papers and other insights into this situation locally and nationally, please click here.