Imagine for a minute that you have an adult family member who has a neurodevelopmental disorder, such as autism, or an intellectual disability (ND/ID). This individual with special needs must see a dentist to alleviate pain or treat oral disease but you cannot afford care and don’t qualify for Medicaid. What do you do now? How long will your loved one have to suffer?
Now come back to reality. You are a dental student who has the ability to learn, provide care and advocate for patients with special needs. Currently, those with an intellectual disability are the most underserved medical and dental population (MUP).
We’ve all been there. Sitting through what seems like an agonizing high school civics class when it happens. The projector screen rolls down, and the famous School House Rock episode