Disability and Health
Informational Fact Sheets
Disability Specific Fact Sheets
Helpful Videos
Tips For Brushing, Person With Autism
This video can easily benefit a healthcare worker or a parent with an autistic child learn the tooth brushing steps for people with autism or other ID/DDs.
Making Tooth Brushing Possible/Fun for people with ID/DD
Imagine making tooth brushing a fun and enjoyable event through a step-by-step desensitization process that includes tons of substantive reinforcement.
Assisting People With Disabilities Including Feeding Tubes
Guidance on how to assist people with ID/DDs who avoid oral hygiene tasks, complete gum care, and how to assist people who use a feeding tube for nutrition.
Brushing For People With Sensory Disorders/IDDD
This video goes over how to prepare your child with SPD for teeth brushing and then also shows you how to increase their tolerance for it. Enjoy!
Brushing My Teeth (Voice Instructions) ADLs
How to brush your teeth, with verbal instructions. Penquis Autism Community Services Video Modeling Tools for ADL Development.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dental Visits
NIDCR supports research to find ways to make dental visits more comfortable for children with ASD.
Unboxing Of Special Needs Tools For Brushing
Special Needs Dentist, Dr. Jacob Dent explains how to use the items in the Brush and Bite Starter Kit to practice and prepare at home for your child’s next dental visit.
Oral Health Care For People With Learning Disabilities
The National Health Service Academic Health Science Networks’ video is for people with a learning disability to assist them manage their oral health.
Websites of Interest
This two-hour web-based course is offered by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
This clinic at the University of Washington School of Dentistry provides dental care for people with developmental and acquired disabilities.
Information and resources from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
iADH are an international network of people who are concerned about those with disabilities and disadvantages, working together with those in their community, professional society and social or service organization to improve the oral health and quality of life for persons with special needs.
SAID is the only organization in the United States that provides a focus on the dental needs of clients who live in institutions, as well as those who live in the community at large.
An organization of oral health professionals and other individuals who are dedicated to promoting oral health and well-being for people with special needs.
This program addresses the issue that many people with intellectual disabilities have unique issues around health care and communicating their needs.
The Special Smiles discipline of Healthy Athletes provides comprehensive oral health care information, including offering free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to participating Special Olympics athletes.
Current Research
Christ, A., Goldberg, J. Justice in Aging. Issue Brief. October 2020.
Vujicic, M., et al. Health Policy Institute White Paper. American Dental Association in partnership with Community Catalyst and Families USA. July 2021.
FamiliesUSA.org Issue Brief. September 2019.
Milano, M. Compendium. Volume 38, Issue 11. Nov/Dec 2017.
Morgan, J., et al. Journal of the American Dental Association, 2012. 143 (8):838-46
Kancherla V., Van Naarden Braun K., and Yeargin-Allsopp M. Research in Developmental Disabilities.2013; 34: 1630-1641
da Rosa, S.V., et al. International Journal of Dentistry, vol. 2020, Article ID 9074618, 17 pages, 2020.
Ward, Laura M., et al. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research63, no. 11 (2019): 1359-1378.
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