Bulletin of Dental Education Article

TeamSmile®, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free dental care and oral health education to underserved children, held its event at Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills NFL football team.

The occasion was further distinguished by the TeamSmile^® board’s approval earlier in the year of a pilot proposal submitted by Elisabeth Thompson, OTR/L, occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) with University Pediatric Dentistry (UPD) and Clinical Instructor of Health Sciences in the Department of Pediatrics and Community Dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UB SDM) and Meelin Dian Chin Kit-Wells, D.D.S., M.Ed. (Dr. Dian), Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry Program Director in the Department of Pediatrics and Community Dentistry at UB SDM.

This pilot proposal introduced a collaborative approach between dental providers and occupational therapy (OT) to support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), building on Ms. Thompson’s work with UPD.

The event highlighted Helen Keller’s belief that “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” underscoring the power of collaboration. Ms. Thompson led the initiative with a team of dedicated volunteers. The pilot focused on personalized care using evidence-based approaches, including principles from Leah Stein-Duker, Ph.D., OTR/L and colleagues, Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE), to enhance dental experiences for children with sensory sensitivities. The SADE model is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Preparation involved creating a detailed Social Story™ with visual aids to help children understand and feel at ease with the dental visit process. Elementary school teachers reviewed this story with the children before the event. Additionally, observations of the children and pre-visit interviews with guardians provided crucial information, allowing for tailored support strategies addressing communication, motor skills, sensory processing, cognitive abilities and emotional regulation.

On the day of the event, a SADE was created with dim lighting, calming music, weighted blankets and sunglasses. Engaging activities educating children about dental care. Structured communication ensured dental providers were well-prepared for each child’s needs, as conveyed by OT.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. School personnel praised the space as ideal for the children, commended the support from OTPs during cleanings and examinations and noted the high quality of the pre-event materials.

This event underscored the advantages of collaboration and innovation with OTPs while highlighting the essential skills required by dental providers. Research indicates that many dental professionals feel uncomfortable and unprepared to care for individuals with IDD. The UB SDM addressed this gap by involving pediatric dental residents and dental students. This aligns with the advanced pediatric dental curriculum developed by Tammy Thompson, D.D.S., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at UB SDM, Dr. Dian and others. This modular curriculum incorporates evidence-based practices through case-based lectures, high-fidelity simulations, community-based education and direct patient care.

It will be exciting to see the future developments of TeamSmile^®! By fostering collaboration and enhancing education, we can reduce segregation and better equip dental providers to deliver high-quality care to individuals with special needs, creating a more inclusive and prepared health care environment.

Courtesy of Elisabeth Thompson, OTR/L, and Tammy Thompson, D.D.S., at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine

Published on October 9, 2024