The Landscape of Dental Care in Tennessee
Those with IDDs Deserve Accessible, Dignified Oral Health Care.
In 2023, the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging awarded Harmony Health a contract to assess disparities in access to dental services for populations with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), with AIDPH serving as a consultant. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the national workforce crisis in retaining dental healthcare workers.
IDDs are defined by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as “a condition characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior that originates before the age of 22.” IDD can take many forms, involving cognitive, mobility, hearing, vision, or self-care issues, along with difficulties living independently.
A Roadmap of Targeted Solutions
Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face excessive wait times for dental appointments and higher rates of tooth extraction, according to this report from AIDPH and Harmony Health. Funded by the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, “The Landscape of Dental Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Tennessee,” points to numerous contributing factors, including gaps in training and geographic barriers to dental care.
The report synthesizes data from multiple sources to evaluate the readiness and responsiveness of the state’s dental care infrastructure to the unique needs of the IDD community. By examining existing disparities, identifying strengths, and pinpointing challenges within the system, this report provides a roadmap for stakeholders to improve oral health outcomes for this underserved population.
Tennessee Oral Health Disparities Data
A state-level “mystery shopper” analysis was conducted to evaluate the accessibility of dental care for patients with IDD in Tennessee. Using trained individuals posing as regular customers, the study assessed the availability of dental appointments and providers’ willingness to accept patients with IDD. The results revealed significant barriers to dental care for people with IDD.
Over half of the clinics contacted with a scenario involving a child with IDD refused treatment, often due to a lack of adequate knowledge of their care. Combined with long wait times, accessing dental services remains a substantial challenge for this population. These barriers can lead to untreated dental issues, ultimately resulting in severe outcomes like the extraction of all teeth, which significantly impacts overall health and quality of life.
%
of clinics contacted about a pediatric patient with IDD refused to see patient
average wait time across scenarios for an initial appointment
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