Dental hygiene is an important part of overall health for anyone. At The Guild School, faculty from Tufts Dental Facilities visit 3-4 times per year to do cleanings and dental exams for students in an environment that’s familiar and comfortable for them. The dentist can schedule more intensive appointments (like fixing damaged teeth or surgery) at their office in Canton or refer the patient to a specialist, if necessary.
Tufts Dental Facilities (TDF) provides comprehensive dental care for adults and children with developmental disabilities through 8 clinics across the state. They see about 350 patients a year through community outreach, traveling to organizations like The Guild. Gina Terenzi, DDS, and resident Sarah Islam visited the school and saw 23 students for care last month. Dr. Terenzi has been working with The Guild for over 20 years, getting to know the students and form a relationship as they grow up.
One Guild School student said she enjoys going to the dentist and she clearly knows Dr. Terenzi well. “I’ve gone to the dentist before but the only thing I don’t like is sometimes they put floss in my teeth and it makes my gums bleed,” Amani said after her appointment.
During the exam, the dentist will help the patient get comfortable with the medical staff and the tools. If they are able, they will take notes on the patients’ teeth, noticing wear or damage as well as behavior. Sometimes it takes multiple appointments to establish a relationship and desensitize the patient to having the tools in their mouth. Dr. Islam says, “I always try to see what they’re comfortable with and making them feel more used to things and to feel more safe.”
Taste, noise, and texture can all be part of an overwhelming sensory experience for individuals with IDD. Dr. Terenzi suggests paying attention to what doesn’t work for an individual. If noise is a problem, don’t use an electric toothbrush. If taste or texture is a problem, find the right flavor or brush without toothpaste. While dentists recommend brushing twice a day, some individuals may only be able to regularly brush their teeth once a day. In this case, brushing at night is preferrable.
In addition, nutrition is an important part of dental care. Dentists recommend limiting sugary or acidic drinks like soda, candy, and snacks. Drinking enough water can also help to flush out debris in the teeth and combat side effects like acid reflux and dry mouth caused by medications commonly prescribed to individuals with IDD.
Providing dental care to individuals with IDD is a specialized field. Dr. Terenzi emphasized that it’s a specialty within dentistry and requires specific training to manage behavior and address unique dental problems. Because of this, there is a shortage of programs around the country and the number of providers is on the decline. “It’s a highly specialized group of people and the community needs to be supported,” she said.