People with Disabilities
Inclusive Care for All Abilities
Individuals in households experiencing disability rate their oral health as fair or poor at higher rates (38%) than those not in households experiencing disability (23%), according to a report from CareQuest Institute. The report analyzes data from the annual State of Oral Health Equity in America survey and confirms the persistent disparities and challenges in accessing oral health for those with intellectual or physical disabilities.
AIDPH supports the development and implementation of policies and clinical practices that provide people with disabilities with accessible, affordable, accommodating, and patient-centered oral health care. Our focus is on promoting autonomy, reducing barriers to care, and ensuring equity in oral health outcomes. Based on conversations with our community advisory board members and other key stakeholders, we realize that provider confidence and shared decision-making are key paths forward in promoting inclusive care. Our work focuses on linking patients, providers, and caregivers with the resources they need to achieve optimal oral health.
NEW from AIDPH and Harmony Health: Technology for Prevention in IDD Patients
Across Tennessee and the U.S., individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to face significant—and often preventable—oral health disparities. This pilot study, conducted by Harmony Health and the American Institute on Disparities in Public Health, explored the feasibility and early impact of integrating two digital oral health technologies, the Oral GenomeTM salivary point-of-care kit and the TruthBrushTM smart toothbrush attachment, across IDD populations in Tennessee.
Project Spotlight: Harmony Health and Tennessee
The American Institute on Disparities in Public Health (AIDPH), in collaboration with Harmony Health, examined systemic barriers to dental health for Tennessee residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This project, funded by the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, assesses disparities in access to dental services among I/DD populations.
The report highlights nine strategic recommendations for improving oral health for Tennesseans with IDD, including:
- Clinical supports, including IDD-specific learning modules, certification programs for providers who treat IDD patients, and addressing Medicaid barriers to dental care delivery.
- 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.
- Leveraging technology through teledentistry, mobile health apps, and salivary diagnostic tools such as those offered through Oral Genome to reduce workforce demands.
Project Spotlight: State Medicaid Advocacy
Funded by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, “Strengthening State Medicaid Advocacy for People with Disabilities” aims to advance equitable oral health for individuals with disabilities, by creating data-driven policy and advocacy resources to enhance Medicaid dental benefits. The project is a collaborative effort between AIDPH and the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities.
