The Health Resources and Services Administration has granted the NYU College of Dentistry nearly $2 million to train dentists on providing care for patients with disabilities.
The grant will be used for the department of pediatric dentistry's "Bridging the Gap" program, which will provide pediatric dental postgraduate students, dentists and dental hygienists training on how to address the oral health needs of patients with disabilities. The program also plans to work with NYU's nursing school to launch a teledentistry initiative in which nurse practitioner students refer community members with disabilities for virtual dental treatment.
"People with disabilities and complex medical conditions face too many barriers in accessing oral health services, including finding a dentist with the skills and capabilities to manage their care. We are working to build a competent and compassionate dental workforce to care for people with these unique needs, ensuring that dentists have the skills for, and commitment to, caring for vulnerable populations," Courtney Chinn, DDS, the program's leader, said in a June 23 news release.
HRSA's grant lasts for five years, and the first round of training programs will begin in September 2021. Dr. Chinn and his team will measure success by issuing pre- and post-program surveys to measure dental practitioners' confidence in caring for patients with disabilities.
More articles on dental:
Houston dentist shares tips on how to be an LGBTQ ally in the field
ADA encourages waiting period before disinfecting treatment rooms
Pennsylvania dental clinic launches pre-appointment COVID-19 testing program