Oral Health
Resource Page
Provided by the Detroit District Dental Society
Disclaimer Statement: This information is provided for dental professionals and the public to engaged in education, discussion, and future training related to the care of patients and advances in oral health. All information presented is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional judgment or clinical decision‑making. Any actions taken based on the information provided are done at your own discretion and risk. Although we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information on this website, we cannot guarantee that all content is free from errors or omissions. The Detroit District Dental Society reserves the right to modify or update this policy at any time.
The American Dental Association compiled a comprehensive list of oral health topics, which will provide you with information and resources about various issues related to you and your family's oral health care.
Dental Treatment for Patients with Special Needs
Many of us do not know what it is like to be blind, hearing impaired, living with autism, navigating daily in a wheelchair, facing the world with these and many other challenges faced by some on a daily basis. There are many patients who have special needs, challenges, disabilities. Many dentists and their staff have no personal experience with direct interaction with individuals who require extra help to deal with the physical and metal challenges for an effective dental appointment. The Detroit District Dental Society is working on brining more information to dental professionals to encourage them to take on treating more patients who require dental accommodations for treatment. This is an ongoing project with webinars, conferences, sharing of articles and information.
Dentists looking to care for dental patients with special needs can access a variety of resources and guidelines to ensure they provide quality care. Here are some key resources:
- American Dental Association: Offers guidance, resources, and practice management tools for dentists treating patients with special healthcare needs.
ADA's Considerations for Patients with Special Needs | American Dental Association - gives dental offices guidelines for Practice Success | Managing Patients | Patient Relations. Highlight: Many patients with physical or developmental special needs can be treated within the practice with reasonable accommodations. The answers to the questions in this article can help you determine what changes might be needed to make your practice a better environment for special needs patients.
Websites
This is a work in progress by volunteers. Please submit any websites with a short summary to have listed. A committee is reviewing the submissions and postings will be updated monthly. This list will repost on May 1, 2026. To submit a sample website please complete this form.
- Center for Persons with Disabilities Presentation Series - Penn Dental Medicine
- NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities
- Patient’s with Special Health Care Needs Resources – Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin
- A work in progress is a listing of State and Local programs across the country - To submit a sample website please complete this form.
Articles and Studies
- Oral and dental health utilization determinants in special health care needs: a systematic review of reviews - PMC
- Considerations for Patients with Special Needs | American Dental Association
- My View: Special care dentistry should be the next dental specialty | American Dental Association
Detroit District Project webpage - Treating Patients with Developmental & Acquired Disabilities
This page is under construction. Currently viewable is the following information.
- Video clips from the American Dental Association
- Video clips from other organizations
- Dental Directory Sign-Up List - dental offices willing to take inquiries for patients who may need dental accommodations in treatment of patients with special needs
- Dental Interest survey
- Volunteer Sign-up form
Coming Soon
- Recording of Detroit District Dental Society Presentation on "Dental Panel Discussion on Recommendations for Dental Staff on Interacting with People with Disabilities"
- Recording of Detroit District Dental Society Presentation on "First Steps for Treating Patients with Special Needs"
Resources special needs
