Inclusive Dental Care: Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Thursday, January 29, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Course Code:
417TL
Credits:
3
CE Hours
This course is designed to help dental providers and their teams create a more inclusive, compassionate, and effective care environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Participants will explore the unique oral health needs and challenges faced by patients with IDD and gain practical strategies to improve comfort, communication, and overall care. This course features powerful insights from individuals with lived experience – including provider, patient, and caregiver perspectives – to highlight real-world barriers and solutions. Attendees will learn how to adapt clinical practices, use supportive tools and techniques, and foster strong relationships built on trust and understanding. All dental members are encouraged to attend and contribute to building a practice culture rooted in respect and inclusion.
Speakers
After this course attendees will be able to:
- Describe the benefits of providing care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
- Understand the challenges individuals with IDD face in accessing dental care by hearing firsthand perspectives
- Build trust, ease anxiety, and improve interactions with patients and caregivers using effective communication strategies
- Identify and implement practical modifications to the dental setting that enhance comfort and accessibility for individuals with IDD
- Gain confidence in using behavior management techniques that support a safe and positive dental experience
- Explore adaptive tools, technologies, and resources that improve care delivery and support patient-centered outcomes
The Massachusetts Dental Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at
ADA.org/CERP