Bringing Awareness of Patients with Special Needs
to Dentists of the Future
JUN
Moreover, unique craniofacial morphology
in patients with developmental disabilities
can increase their risk of having comorbidities
such as traumatic occlusion, TMJ problems,
and bruxism. These harmful conditions, in
addition to many others, not only increase
their risk for disease, but also complicate
their care for the dental team . 7
Rounding out the importance of this issue is
the strong correlation between oral health
and systemic disease. The integration of oral
health care with systemic disease reveals a
strong need for preventive measures to
achieve overall well-being. 8 This association
even further necessitates comprehensive
care for individuals with IDD, who are at a
higher risk for dental disease when
compared to the general population. 8
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It is clear from this history, and the current
state of affairs, that overburdened providers
are met with an overwhelming problem
and little signs of relief.
All of this discussion brings us to the
University of Pittsburgh, and its student
chapter of the national group, the American
Academy of Developmental Medicine and
Dentistry (AADMD). Through the AADMD
club, dental students are given the
opportunity to interact with individuals with
SHCN, both in a community setting as well
as in clinical mission projects. The objective
of this is to develop a familiarity with those
with SHCN and a comfort-level while
treating them. Throughout the club’s nearly
seven year history at Pitt’s School of Dental
Medicine, it has sponsored activities for the
MA R CH/A P R I L 2020 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L
Pitt AADMD chapter with
VCU AADMD chapter for the
Richmond, Virginia Mission
of Mercy (MOM) event.
dental student members. This has included
outreach opportunities such as the Special
Olympics Summer and Winter Games, as
well as hands-on clinical experiences with
participants of the Special Olympics Healthy
Athletes initiative. Further, the club has
sought to bolster awareness for those with
SHCN throughout the student body at large
with “Lunch and Learn” lectures being
sponsored, as well as more festive events
such as the “Rock Your Socks Day” to
promote awareness for patients with Down
Syndrome. All in all, while it is difficult to
truly determine definitively, it is estimated
that through these various activities and
events, the club offers well over 625
volunteered hours of service annually,
dedicated to individuals with SHCN.