Harmony Health and AIDPH study assesses oral health barriers
Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are facing significant barriers to receiving essential dental care. Excessive wait times, higher rates of tooth extraction, and a lack of provider training are just a few of the challenges identified in a comprehensive report by Harmony Health and the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH).
The report, “The Landscape of Dental Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Tennessee,” provides an in-depth assessment of the state’s dental care infrastructure and its ability to meet the unique needs of people with IDD. Funded by the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, the study highlights the critical gaps in training, geographic access, and overall readiness of dental care providers in the state.
Kelli Bingham, Executive Director for Harmony Health states, “Oral health is a critical need for all individuals, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This report highlights the extensive access challenges that Tennesseans with disabilities are experiencing in receiving necessary oral health services. With data and insights gleaned from this report, we can now continue the journey to improving the care experience for individuals with disabilities.”
The study utilized a mix of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data and a “mystery shopper” methodology, where researchers posed as consumers to gather real-world insights into patient experiences. This approach revealed stark realities: over 50% of dental providers sampled would not see a child patient with IDD, often citing a lack of training. Those providers that could accommodate IDD patients were concentrated in just a few urban areas, leading to average round-trip travel times of 97 minutes and initial appointment wait times exceeding 100 days.
There are several different recommendations to address these disparities.
Incentivizing Clinical Training: Dental providers should be encouraged to pursue IDD-specific training, which could be supported through learning modules, continuing education credits, reimbursement, or certification programs for those demonstrating exceptional commitment to IDD care.
Enhancing Integrated Care: Improved communication between dental and primary care systems is crucial, especially during the transition from pediatric to adult care, to ensure that IDD patients receive continuous and comprehensive care.
Leveraging Technology: Implementing teledentistry, mobile health apps, and innovative diagnostic tools can help reduce the strain on the dental workforce and improve access to care.
These recommendations provide a roadmap for stakeholders to improve oral health outcomes for this medically underserved population. The full report is available for further insights and in-depth analysis.