The Indiana Institute’s Center for Health Equity (CHE) has released a brief, Improving the Oral Health of Hoosiers With Disabilities: Current Landscape and Recommendations, that presents the findings of a multi-year research project on the oral health of Hoosiers with disabilities. This project is supported by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities.
This brief summarizes dental care access and home oral care for people with disabilities; the oral health of Hoosiers with disabilities; and the current capacity and needs of Indiana’s dental workforce. The brief is based on an extensive literature review; key informant interviews with adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and dental professionals; and online surveys of family caregivers and dentists in Indiana. In addition to the main findings of this comprehensive research, the brief offers policy and practice recommendations to improve the oral health of Hoosiers with disabilities.
In 2022, in collaboration with caregivers and dental workforce advisory committees, CHE will deliver in-person trainings for caregivers and dental workforce to address the issues and barriers discussed in the brief.