Tufts to Address Lack of Dental Care for Individuals With Disabilities

Access to professional dental services remains a problem for many populations across the United States, but those with disabilities often have the fewest options. Many dental offices are ill-prepared to effectively treat patients who use wheelchairs or present with significant health problems. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston wants to change this. The university has implemented a new program for pre-doctoral students—Integrated Care to Address Complexities of Oral Health for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations: Interprofessional Teamwork, Cultural Competence, Health Literacy, and Social Determinants of Health—that focuses on improving access to care for vulnerable populations and ensuring the dental experience is positive. Interprofessional collaboration is a key facet of the program. Click here to read more.