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Dental Training Pathway for Improving Care for People with IDD

The essential guide for dentists and hygienists to learn how to ensure dental care is safe, welcoming, and effective for people with IDD.

About the Training Pathway

Do you want to give great dental care to patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)? This training pathway can help.

We reviewed over 100 trainings, guides, and tools with help from self-advocates, care partners, and dental professionals. We picked the best resources and organized them into an easy path for you to follow.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND

  • What IDD is and why understanding it matters
  • How to talk with and support patients with IDD
  • Health conditions that often occur with IDD
  • Tips for exams, treatment, and hands-on dental care
  • Ways to make your office more welcoming and comfortable
  • Resources for caregivers and families

Module 1 - What is IDD?

Click on the categories below to see training resources.

Learn about the history of how people with disabilities have been treated, understand ableism and its effects, and see the laws and policies that protect the rights of people with IDD today.

  1. Attitudes, Bias, Ableism, and Stereotyping of People with Disabilities
    • National League for Nursing
  2. Structural ableism in public health and healthcare: a definition and conceptual framework
    • The Lancet
  3. Responsive Practice Training for Healthcare Professionals. As part of “Module 1: Providing Health Care and Screenings to Individuals with Disabilities”
  4. Brief Historical View of Disability and Related Legislation
    • National League for Nursing
  5. Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Medical Diagnostic Equipment Used by State and Local Governments
    • ADA.gov
  6. Health Equity Framework for People with Disabilities [PDF]
    • National Council on Disability
  7. Illuminating the Past and Imagining the Future of Intellectual Disability [VIDEO]
    • American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  8. History of the Disability Movement in the United States [VIDEO]
    • American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Discover why people with IDD often face bigger barriers to good healthcare, and learn what “health equity” means and how it applies to dental care.

  1. General Overview of ADA Requirements [VIDEO]
    • University of Michigan Medical School
  2. Health Equity: Moving from Theory to Practice [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  3. Disabilities and Oral Health Equity
    • Delta Dental Foundation
  4. Developmental Disabilities
    • Medline Plus
  5. Intellectual Disability – CE Activity
    • StatPearls
  6. Responsive Practice Training for Healthcare Professionals
    • Missouri Disability and Health Program
  7. Therapeutic Oral Care Considerations for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  8. Defining Disabilities: Disabilities Across a Lifetime [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  9. Oral Health Fact Sheet for Dental Professionals: Individuals with Intellectual Disability
    • University of Washington School of Dental
  10. Students have the Exposure and Motivation for Change [VIDEO]
    • NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities
  11. Policy, Advocacy, and Treatment for Patients with Special Healthcare Needs [VIDEO]
    • NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities

Learn how IDD can affect a patient’s physical and cognitive traits, and how these differences may show up during a dental visit.

  1. Persons with Intellectual, Physical and Developmental Disabilities: The Role of Dental Education in Policy, Education and Actions [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  2. Treating Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders – A Toolkit for Dental Professionals [PDF]
    • Autism Speaks

Find tips and strategies for communicating clearly and effectively with patients with IDD, including patients who are nonverbal or communicate differently.

  1. Communicating Effectively with People with Disabilities
    • ADA.gov

Understand guardianship, consent, and how to include patients with IDD in decisions about their own dental care whenever possible.

  1. Considerations for Alternative Decision-Making When Transitioning to Adulthood for Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Policy Statement
    • American Academy of Pediatrics
  2. Exploring My Decision-Making Options [PDF]
    • University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Inclusive Communities

Learn safe ways to help patients with IDD move, transfer, and get comfortable in the dental chair.

  1. Promoting Safety and Mobility for Individuals with I/DD: Effective Strategies for Transfers and Ambulation
    • StationMD

Explore the extra support some patients with IDD may need, and where to find resources to help you provide it.

  1. Access to Dental Services for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) [PDF]
    • Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission

Module 2 - Diagnostic and health considerations 

Click on the categories below to see training resources

  1. Treating Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders – A Toolkit for Dental Professionals [PDF]
    • Autism Speaks
  2. Oral Health Fact Sheet for Dental Professionals: Individuals with Intellectual Disability
    • University of Washington School of Dentistry
  3. Oral Health Policies & Clinical Guidelines
    • Special Care Dentistry Association
  4. A Comprehensive Review of the Relationship Between Oral Health and Down Syndrome
    • Advocate Health
  5. Dental Management Strategies for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  6. Oral Health Care of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  7. Dental Management of Individuals with a History of Down Syndrome – Case Examples [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  8. Prader Willi Syndrome: A Brief Look
    • Your Special Smiles
  9. How Do Disabilities Affect Oral Healthcare Outcomes?
    • ZocDoc
  10. Oral Health Fact Sheet for Dental Professionals Individuals with Intellectual Disability
    • University of Washington School of Dentistry
  11. Oral Health: Adults with Epilepsy: A Guide for Dental Professionals
    • University of Washington School of Dentistry
  1. Three Adverse Drug Interactions Every Dentist Should Know About [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  2. Medications and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [PDF]
    • IntellectAbility
  3. Caring for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairments – Making it work! [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  4. NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities- Unit Zero Webinar: The Patient / Provider Perspective
    • NYU Langone Dentistry
  5. PHT: Preservice Health Training Module: Student Dentists
    • University of Kentucky
  6. Responsive Practice Training
    • Missouri Disability and Health Collaborative
  7. Teledentistry Overview
    • Your Special Smiles
  1. Partnering with Direct Support Professionals to Promote Optimal Oral Health for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  2. NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities- Interdisciplinary Oral, Primary, and Behavioral Health Care Needs for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
    • NYU Langone Dentistry
  3. Enhancing Dental Care through Interdisciplinary Communication and Collaboration [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  1. Preventive Health Considerations for Individuals with Special Needs Dr. Ann Eshenaur Spolarich [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  2. Integrated Health Promotion and Prevention: A Journey to Wellness – Dr. David Fray [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  3. Optimizing Dental Care for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Challenges, Strategies, and Preventative Approaches
    • University of Florida College of Medicine
  4. Developing a Prevention Plan for Patients and Care Givers: Overcoming Barriers to Providing Effective Oral Care – Dr. Risner-Bauman [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  1. Preventive Nutritional Interventions for Individuals with Special Needs – Matthew R. Whipple [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  2. Diet and Nutrition Considerations for Oral and Systemic Health in Individuals with Disabilities [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  3. Improve Your Health Today, 32 Reasons to learn about the Mouth-Body Connection
    • Smile Generation
  4. Getting to Know You: The Medical, Behavioral, and Social History and Its Role in Treating Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
    • NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities
  5. Letting the Air Out of Orthodontic Treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Patients with Down Syndrome [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  6. Dental Management of Common Disabilities – Dr. Alicia Risner-Bauman [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental

Module 3 - Dental Considerations

Click on the categories below to see training resources.

  1. Ergonomics in Portable and Special Care Dentistry
    • Your Special Smiles
  1. The FHS Advanced Delivery Dental Clinic
    • Your Special Smiles
  2. ADA Workshop Series #4 of 4 – Access Tools for Dental Clinics
    • University of Michigan Medical School
  3. Dental tool kit: for dental professionals – Autism & accommodations
    • Autism Speaks
  4. Creating a More Inclusive Dental Office–Small Changes That Make a Big Impact for Patients with IDD and Autism
    1. Oral Health Kansas
  1. Geriatrics Panel Created with SIU – SCDA Student Chapter
    • Your Special Smiles
  1. The Alpha Omega of Teaching & Learning Special Care Dentistry [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  2. ADA Workshop Series #2 of 4 – How to Communicate: Intake and Facilitating Patient Flow of Services
    • University of Michigan Medical School
  3. Unit Zero Webinar: D4 Students have the Exposure and Motivation for Change
    • NYU Langone Dentistry
  4. Facing the Problem: Fulfilling the Dentist’s Obligations
    • NYU Langone Dentistry
  5. Disabilities and Oral Health Equity
    • Delta Dental Foundation
  6. Developmental Disabilities and Oral Health
    • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
  7. Practical Oral Care for People With Developmental Disabilities
    • Special Olympics
  8. The Caregiver’s Guide to Dental Health
    • ADA
  1. Addressing the Dental Needs of Children and Adolescents Through a New Lens
    • NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities
  2. Preparing the Office for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
    • NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities
  3. Practical Oral Care for People With Developmental Disabilities [PDF]
    • Special Olympics
  1. Family Services Community Connection Dental Guide [PDF]
    • ECHO Autism and Autism Speaks
  2. Guided Oral Hygiene and Assisted Oral Hygiene: Methods to Play an Active Role in Home Hygiene – Dr. Brooke Fukuoka [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  1. Oral Health Fact Sheet for Dental Professionals Individuals with Intellectual Disability
    • University of Washington School of Dentistry
  2. Oral Health Care for Adults with IDD – A Summary of Evidence-based and Promising Practices [PDF]
    • Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center CDDER – UMass
  1. Oral Health and Disabilities in Michigan: Barriers and Solutions
    • Delta Dental Foundation, McMillen Health, Project Accessible Oral Health
  1. Chronic Pain Scale for Nonverbal Adults With Intellectual Disabilities (CPS-NAID) [PDF]
    • Centre for Pediatric Pain Research, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
  2. Oral Health Care for Adults with IDD – A Summary of Evidence-based and Promising Practices [PDF]
    • Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center CDDER – UMass
  3. Patient Accessibility Needs Form
    • Institute for Exceptional Care
  4. My Dental Appointment Reflection Tool
    • Institute for Exceptional Care
  5. MACPAC- Access to Dental Services for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) [PDF]
    • Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
  6. Developmental Disabilities & Oral Health
    • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
  1. Preservice Health Training Module: Student Dentists – Daniel
    • University of Kentucky
  1. Oral Health Problems and Strategies for Care
    • NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities
  2. Three Adverse Drug Interactions Every Dentist Should Know About [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  3. Sedation To Facilitate Access To Preventative Healthcare [PDF]
    • Monash Health Library
  4. Assessment of Virginia Disabilities Services System: Accessibility of Dental Care [PDF]
    • Virginia Board of People with Disabilities
  5. Preoperative Management of Patients with Special Needs
    • NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities
  6. Oral Health Care for Adults with IDD – A Summary of Evidence-based and Promising Practices [PDF]
    • Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center CDDER – UMass
  7. Treating Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders [PDF]
    • Autism Speaks
  8. The Use of Medication for the Management of Problem (Challenging) Behaviour in Adults who have Intellectual Disabilities
    • University of Hertfordshire
  9. Textbook of Psychiatry for Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder – Psychopharmacology
    • Springer
  10. Medical Immobilization and Protective Stabilization: Techniques for Providing Safe and Effective Care in Professional and Home Settings Dr. Alicia Risner-Bauman [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  11. Treating Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders – A Toolkit for Dental Professionals [PDF]
    • Autism Speaks
  12. Disability Competent Care Assessment Tool 2.0 [PDF]
    • Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
  13. Oral Health Care for Adults with IDD – A Summary of Evidence-based and Promising Practices [PDF]
    • Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center CDDER – UMass
  14. Sensory-Integrated Dental Care [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  1. Straighter: Orthodontics and the Patient with Special Health Care Needs – Dr. Marc Ackerman [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  1. Curriculum Development in Special Care Dentistry for Pre-Doctoral Students: Problems & Pearls – Dr. Lynne M. Taiclet [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  2. Is the Dental Profession Prepared to Serve People with Disabilities? – John D. Kemp, Esq. [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  3. Persons with Intellectual, Physical and Developmental Disabilities: The Role of Dental Education in Policy, Education and Actions – Dr. Mark Wolff [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  4. NICHE-Dental Curriculum
    • AADMD
  5. Managing Pediatric Special Needs Care in Private Practice [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  6. Special Care Panel Created with SIU – SCDA Student Chapter
    • Your Special Smiles
  1. How the Payer System Can Improve Oral Health – Dr. Holli Seabury [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  2. Understanding and Procedure Coding for Patients with Special Health Care Needs
    • American Dental Association (ADA)
  1. The Role of Teledentistry When Caring for People With Disabilities [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental
  1. Trauma Informed Care: Lessons Learned and New Approaches [Login Required]
    • University of Pennsylvania Dental

COMING SOON: More Training Pathways for Other Clinical Practices

IEC and the IDD Advocate Corps are organizing our list of essential resources for clinicians to improve care for people with IDD. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.