Arizona’s community health dentists and local nonprofits often face challenges when it comes to accessing dental training and continuing education. To increase access to care, Delta Dental of Arizona, through its Foundation, recently funded 20 scholarships supporting 10 community health centers, public health clinics and oral health nonprofit programs across Arizona to take part in the intensive special-needs training program through the New York University Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities. In addition to the program scholarships, a collaboration with BHHS Legacy Foundation, Arizona Department of Health Services and The Burton Family Foundation enabled travel stipends of up to $2,500 to also be provided to all recipients.
The program’s three-day intensive training focuses on observing patient workflow and experience, utilizing accommodation in health risk assessment and treatment planning, working with caregivers to maintain oral health for patients, understanding physical ergonomics of treating patients, and best accommodations of physical space characteristics and needs.
“For the over 7 million people in the U.S. with intellectual or developmental disabilities, visiting the dentist for oral health care can be overwhelming or even inaccessible, and we are out to change that in our state,” says Michael Jones, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Arizona and chair of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. In 2024, Delta Dental of Arizona added a Special Health Care Needs dental benefit to most of its dental plans, which includes treatment delivery modifications and the use of anesthesia when necessary to provide dental care.
In addition to the scholarship program, Delta Dental is also currently offering free special needs training opportunities for network and community health center dentists in Arizona. The program, titled Center for Persons with Disabilities Presentation Series, was developed in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania and raises awareness of oral health barriers for individuals with disabilities. These online courses are open to all dentists and staff.
Photo courtesy of Delta Dental of Arizona: Local dental processionals undergoing intensive training for patients with special needs
