People with IDD can find it difficult to afford oral health treatment and access professionals qualified to give care.
Photo by Slovenia, courtesy iStockphoto
Like many Americans, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can miss out on regular dental care. But for people with IDD, a range of barriers worsens the problem, leading to poorer oral health among the population.
Research shows that people with IDD experience more tooth extractions and cavities, fewer fillings, greater gum inflammation and fewer preventive dental care visits than the general population.
Insurance coverage is one hurdle. Most people with IDD rely on Medicaid coverage for dental care, but in 12 states, the program does not cover dental care for adults. And even for the millions of people with IDD who have Medicaid coverage, patients can experience difficulties finding an oral health provider who will take them as a patient or accept Medicaid’s lower reimbursement rates.
The need for oral health care for people with IDD is great. Oral health problems can result not only in chronic pain and interfere with eating, but also lead to heart disease and pregnancy complications, according to Farah Alam, DDS, director of special care dentistry at Rose F. Kennedy Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center at Montefiore Medical Center.
Oral health providers can also spot early symptoms of conditions such as diabetes and cancer in the mouth, helping to head off chronic illnesses.
Given the needs of patients, all dental and other oral health providers should receive training to serve people with IDD, Alam said.
But not everyone with IDD experiences the same oral health issues. Some people with autism who have heightened sensory experiences may dislike the feeling of brushing their teeth or allowing a physician to have access to their mouth, for example.
Others with IDD may take medications with side effects that contribute to tooth decay, and some may experience high anxiety, limiting their ability to stay still during checkups or cleanings.
In recent years, more dental and medical schools have opened specialized clinics to train students on treating people with disabilities, Alam said. At Montefiore Medical, health professionals are working with patients and caregivers to emphasize the importance of personalized care for people with IDD.
“You have to understand the individual that’s sitting in your (dental) chair, understand their background — meaning what they’re able to do and what they’re not able to do — what their oral hygiene routine is, what their diet might be,” Alam told The Nation’s Health.
For more information, visit www.aadmd.org.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association
