People with Disabilities
Inclusive Care for All Abilities
We support the development and implementation of policies 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.
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.
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%).
Project Spotlight: Strengthening State Medicaid Advocacy for People with Disabilities
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.
Join an Informational Webinar!
Virtual training sessions sharing real-time successes and strategies for building relationships and advancing legislative expansion in Medicaid for people with disabilities. We want to build the capacity of advocates to use successful models and data-driven approaches developed and implemented collaboratively by AIDPH and CTD. We’re excited to help to empower community members with the tools, data, and advocacy strategies to drive meaningful systemic change.
A Community-Led Approach to Increasing
Dental Benefits in Medicaid—A Texas Case Study
March 8, 2024 | 12:30 pm CT
Abstract: Many states do not offer dental benefits to adults with disabilities through their Medicaid program, exacerbating barriers to dental care for an already marginalized and historically excluded community. Advancing policies and strategies that strengthens Medicaid dental benefits is particularly challenging in conservative states where policy approaches have to be bipartisan and fiscally sound. This session highlights the pivotal efforts within Texas to enhance Medicaid dental benefits for adults with disabilities by delving into the comprehensive journey from the initial identification of the gap in dental healthcare benefits to the strategic legislative actions undertaken to address this disparity. Attendees will learn successful strategies and community-led efforts employed in Texas to advocate for and implement increased Medicaid dental benefits for adults with disabilities. Following the successful model outlined by the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, this session will explore the collaborative efforts between consumer advocacy organizations and public health entities in driving meaningful policy change.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Analyze the process for identifying gaps in Medicaid dental benefits for adults with disabilities.
- Evaluate the steps involved in determining a legislative solution, including stakeholder engagement and policy analysis.
- Explain the significance of community advocates leading health policy initiatives, emphasizing their role in championing for marginalized populations.
- Apply lessons learned from the Texas case study to propose innovative solutions for improving dental healthcare access in other states.
Data-Driven Advocacy: Shaping Medicaid Dental Policies for Disability Access
May 1, 2024 | 12:30 pm CT
Abstract: Data can be a powerful tool for policy advocacy. This webinar explores the transformative role of data-driven methodologies in informing Medicaid dental policies for adults with disabilities. Following a community-engaged model, the framework discussed during this session leverages evidence-based strategies to equip advocates with the necessary tools to navigate and apply data for effective policy advocacy. Participants will gain insights into the dynamics of using data to pinpoint gaps in existing policies, access tools for enhancing Medicaid dental benefits for adults with disabilities, and see examples of the application of these tools through community-led advocacy. This session highlights a toolkit developed by the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) and the Coalition of Texas with Disabilities (CTD) that provides stakeholders with frameworks, checklists, and real-world case studies to apply in their own advocacy work.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Analyze the role of data-driven approaches in formulating and reforming Medicaid dental policies for adults with disabilities.
- Demonstrate the ability to source and interpret relevant data to support advocacy for expanded Medicaid dental benefits.
- Construct compelling arguments using data to showcase the necessity and impact of policy changes in dental care for individuals with disabilities.
Preview our Advocacy Toolkit
AIDPH and CTD are developing a toolkit to build the capacity of oral health professionals, people with disabilities, advocates, and other stakeholders to expand Medicaid dental benefits for adults with disabilities. Topics include using data to inform policy, understanding your political landscape, engaging with decision-makers, creating nontraditional partnerships, and storytelling in policy.
We’re looking for feedback on this toolkit – fill out the form here if you see an upgrade or inclusion.
