Environmental Adaptations to Increase Comfort for Individuals with ID/DD in the Dental Office and other Medical Care Settings 

Individuals with intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities face many sensory and motor barriers when accessing healthcare.  Using a dental office as an example, we will discuss simple adaptations to office visits that can meet the sensory needs and positioning needs of individuals with ID/DD to increase comfort of the patient and success of the visit. A collaborative model between University Pediatric Dentistry and the Occupational Therapy program at the University at Buffalo will be discussed.  

Featured Panelists:

Heidi Keil is a graduate student in the BS/MS occupational therapy program at the University at Buffalo. She is currently completing her first level II fieldwork at University Pediatric Dentistry. She is a member of AADMD and will be attending the AADMD Conference this June in Orlando.  

Meredith Wheelock is a graduate student at the University of Buffalo in the BS/MS occupational therapy program. She is currently completing her first level II fieldwork placement at University Pediatric Dentistry. She is a current member of the AADMD and will be attending the AADMD Conference this June. 

Meelin Dian Chin Kit-Wells, DDS, Med is a board-certified pediatric dentist who takes a special interest in care for persons with disabilities. Her undergraduate degree is from Howard University and Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from UB School of Dental Medicine where she has been on faculty for over twenty years.  Dr. Wells currently holds the position of secretary for the AADMD Board. 

Janice Tona PhD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist and educational psychologist with over 30 years of experience. She holds a BS in occupational therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University, an MS in pediatric / developmental disabilities based occupational therapy from the University of Pittsburgh, and a PhD in educational psychology from the University at Buffalo. She is clinical associate professor and occupational therapy program director at the University at Buffalo and has been collaborating with University Pediatric Dentistry since 2014.  Every THIRD Tuesday* of the month the AADMD Student & Resident Committee hosts the interdisciplinary webinar series - Virtual Grand Rounds. This is a chance for clinicians (and non-clinicians) to learn about person-centered care and advocacy for people with IDD.

*Day of the week is subject to change.

Next VGR

September 2022 | 8pm Eastern