How You can Help
Dental Providers Make a Difference
We have a unique and important opportunity to expand access to dental care for New Mexicans with acquired or intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD)—a population that has long been underserved. These individuals often face significant barriers when seeking oral health care. Many cannot advocate for themselves. Some are nonverbal; others may only show signs of pain or discomfort through subtle behavioral changes that only a caregiver might recognize. They don’t have a loud voice in dental offices, emergency rooms, or with policymakers—but their need is real, and urgent.
Would you help serve these New Mexicans by providing dental care to those that suffer and often do so in silence?
Providing compassionate, comprehensive oral health care to individuals with disabilities is not only deeply rewarding—it’s essential. Too often, the greatest barrier to care isn’t the complexity of the treatment; it’s the lack of providers who feel equipped to serve this population. With your help, we can change that.
This page is intended as a resource for dental providers.
Why We Need You
Most patients with disabilities can be treated in a general dental practice. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIH), most individuals with mild to moderate developmental disabilities can be cared for successfully in general practice settings with just a few adjustments. Learning how to adapt your care—just as you do for children, seniors, or anxious patients—can open doors for people who often go without.
Why Your Role Matters
In New Mexico and across the country, there is a shortage of dental providers trained and willing to serve individuals with special needs. Many of these patients go without care—not because their needs are impossible to meet, but because providers are unaware of how to adjust standard practices to accommodate them.
Your willingness to learn and adapt can change that.
By offering inclusive care, you:
- Help close the access gap for vulnerable patients
- Support caregivers and families seeking consistent care
- Improve long-term health outcomes for people with complex needs
- Empower your team with new skills and a sense of purpose
Getting Started: Tips for Success
Providing care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) may require small adjustments to your current approach. These simple steps, based on guidance from the NIH, can help you and your team confidently create a more inclusive and successful care experience:
- Create a person-centered environment. Treat every patient with dignity and respect. A welcoming, empathetic approach goes a long way.
- Understand communication needs. Speak directly to the patient when possible, and involve caregivers to understand preferences, behavioral cues, and effective communication strategies.
- Assess abilities and needs. Ask about any physical, behavioral, or cognitive challenges that may affect the visit. Every patient is different—adapt accordingly.
- Adapt your space and schedule. Allow extra time when needed and reduce sensory triggers like bright lights or loud noises to help patients feel more comfortable.
- Engage the entire care team. From front desk staff to hygienists, everyone plays a role in preparing and supporting a successful visit.
- Watch for physical limitations. Be mindful of involuntary movements, difficulty with instructions, or trouble sitting in the dental chair. Adjust as needed and offer breaks.
- Always ask about latex allergies. Patients with developmental disabilities may have a higher risk for latex sensitivity. Confirm before treatment to avoid serious reactions.
Your skills and compassion are powerful tools. By opening your practice to patients with special needs, you become part of a movement to build a more inclusive, healthier New Mexico.
Ready to learn more or get involved? Contact us (form) to access training, resources, and support.
Disability Specific information
Below are helpful links to informational fact sheets developed by the University of Washington DECOD (Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities) Program that provide an overview of general clinical and oral findings for different conditions and medications commonly used by individuals with ID/DD and the impact the medications may have on oral health.
Continuing Education
There are several continuing education courses listed below that can help providers prepare to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Introduction to Patients with Special Healthcare Needs (PDF) A resource guide by Allen Wong, DDS EDD and William Sands, DDS. Understanding the process of providing dental care to the patients with special healthcare needs will lead to respect for the individual and reveal the need for building a team approach that facilitates successful results.
- Explore proven strategies you can use before, during, and after appointments with autistic patients in CareQuest Institute’s new self-paced online course, “Providing Oral Health Care to Autistic Individuals. ” Earn 1 free ADA CERP credit.
- Another new online course from CareQuest Institute “Caring for Individuals with Disabilities: Practical Considerations for Dental Providers ” explores recognized disabilities and their impact on oral health care, helping you and your dental team provide inclusive, patient-centered, and high-quality dental care to individuals with disabilities. Earn 1 free ADA CERP credit.
- Delta Dental – Continuing Education for Dental Health Professionals With support from the Delta Dental Foundation, Penn Dental Medicine has established a free continuing education series aimed at building awareness of the barriers to equitable oral health care for individuals with disabilities, and developing competency to provide oral health care to this vulnerable population.
- Special Care Advocates in Dentistry Professional Modules(free) 15 modules using an article-like format covering a variety of areas in special care dentistry.
- Oregon Office on Disability and Health. Mouth Matters Session 2 CEUs are available for dental hygienists, dentists, and other health professionals. View the recorded webinar here. To access the webinar please click the top bar dated June 10th, labeled “SoD-Mouth Matters Webinars.” If you would like to receive CDEs, please visit ohsu.edu/cde and register for the course.
- Free Modules on Special Care Dentistry – T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health in collaboration with the University of California San Diego School of Medicine proudly offer 10 professional development modules on special care dentistry. Create an account and access these 10 FREE continuing education courses.
- Oral Health for People with Special Needs On-Line Education Course (Special Care Dentistry Association) – A 16-CE credit self-paced online learning program. $350 for SCDA members, $450 for nonmembers.
- Special Care: An Oral Health Professional’s Guide to Serving Children with Special Health Care Needs. This series of five modules is designed to provide oral health professionals with information to help ensure that children with special health care needs have access to health promotion and disease prevention services that address their unique oral health needs in a comprehensive, family-centered, and community-based manner.
A series from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) on providing oral care for people with mild or moderate developmental disabilities.
- Wheelchair Transfer A Health Care Provider’s Guide (PDF) This information can make a difference in your efforts to provide oral health care for patients who use a wheelchair.
- Practical Oral Care for People with Developmental Disabilities (PDF) By adopting the strategies discussed in this booklet, you can have a significant impact not only on your patients’ oral health, but on their quality of life as well.
- Practical Oral Care for People With Intellectual Disability (PDF) Providing oral care to people with intellectual disability requires adaptation of the skills you use everyday. In fact, most people with mild or moderate intellectual disability can be treated successfully in the general practice setting.
- Practical Oral Care for People With Down Syndrome (PDF) Early professional treatment and daily oral care at home can allow people with down syndrome to enjoy a healthy mouth.
- Practical Oral Care for People With Cerebral Palsy (PDF) Cerebral palsy itself does not cause any unique oral abnormalities. However, several conditions are more common or more severe in people with cerebral palsy than in the general population.
- Practical Oral care for People with Autism (PDF) Making a difference in the oral health of a person with autism may go slowly at first, but determination can bring positive results and invaluable rewards.
Best Practices, Tips, and Insights
Best Practice Approach: Oral Health Care of People with Special Health Care Needs (PDF) This report is the result of efforts by the ASTDD Best Practices Committee to identify and provide information on developing successful practices that address people with special health care needs.
HELEN: The Journal of Human Exceptionality Easy-to-read articles about inclusive health for people with different abilities and their family members.
Specialized Care Company Founded by a former manager with Johnson & Johnson, this company designs and manufactures products that make dental care safer and more comfortable for children and adults with special healthcare needs.
Sensory Health CEO Ben Hudson creates immersive, sensory-modulated spaces in exam and waiting rooms, and works directly with providers to deliver evidence-based training to help them better serve patients with disabilities.
Armor Dental Products Creator and manufacturer of soft-retraction dental instruments. Soft retraction, a new concept in dentistry, helps reduce patient anxiety, pain, infections and complications.
Helpful Videos
Dental Care for Children and Adults with DD: Special Considerations
Allen Wong, DDS, EdD, DABSCD Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry Professor and Director AEGD Program; Global Clinical Advisor, Special Olympics Special Smiles Program.
Dental Care for Patients with Autism, with Dr. Allen Wong, Part 2
Allen Wong, DDS. access to care, lack of clinical resources for adults, disincentives for practitioners to treat this population, and questions about anesthesia.
Neurodiversity at the Dentist, with Dr. Allen Wong
Dr. Wong discusses the importance of dentists understanding neurodiversity, and options for how patients with sensory issues can have successful visits to the dentist.
Oral Health Instructions for Special Needs Patients
Dr. Jacob Dent presents his best practices for providing excellent care for special needs patients. Office set up, patient scheduling, and customized individual treatment.
Autism Spectrum Disorder & Dental Care Webinar
A webinar on autism and dental care for dental hygienist and dental assistant students. Recognize characteristics of ASD, dental & parental concerns, ABA, office visits.
New Mexico Foundation for Dental Health, Education & Research (dba. NM Dental Association Foundation)
PO Box 16854
Albuquerque, NM 87191
Office: (505) 298-7206
Fax: (505) 554-3836
All Content Copyright © 2021, New Mexico Foundation for Dental Health Research and Education, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
All donations are tax-deductible.
EIN 74-3146433
The NMDAF is the charitable arm of the NMDA