For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), oral health is often cited as the single greatest unmet healthcare need, with studies showing that nearly 32% of this population suffers from untreated dental caries and over 80% are affected by periodontitis. These disparities are driven by a complex web of barriers that often render routine care inaccessible. Many people with IDD face obstacles, stemming from a lack of provider training in sensory needs, physical barriers like inaccessible offices, and significant hurdles like dental anxiety and limited Medicaid coverage.

So how do we begin to break down these barriers?