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.

Project Spotlight: Harmony Health and Tennessee

The American Institute for Dental 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