Improving Oral Health Care for People with Intellectual Disability Program

Build confidence treating patients with intellectual disability in general dental practice

Small changes, big impact: Many people with intellectual disability can be effectively cared for at their local dental practice with simple, practical adjustments.

The GROW team partners with general dental practices in the CESPHN region to strengthen capability in delivering inclusive preventative oral health care.

Program requirements

To successfully complete the Improving Oral Health Care for People with Intellectual Disability Program, participating practices must: 

1. Complete two 60-minute in-practice education sessions: 

• Delivered at the practice
• Designed for the whole practice team, including administration staff, dental assistants and hygienists, oral health therapists and dentists.
• Sessions focus on:
  • Understanding intellectual disability
  • Recognising risk factors and barriers to accessing preventative oral health care
  • Exploring practical strategies to support inclusive practice, including tools to promote emotional and physiological regulation and communication
  • Identifying sources of clinical support and referral pathways for managing patients with complex needs

2.  One Quality Improvement (QI) activity

• Practices are supported to complete a structured QI activity using an inclusive practice checklist. This supports teams to: 
  • Set SMART goals 
  • Self-monitor progress 
  • Embed sustainable improvements 

3. Sensory Regulation Toolkit 

• Practices can select sensory regulation items to support patients to feel calm, comfortable, and better able to engage in oral health care.
• CESPHN provides the selected items, along with guidance to support their effective use within clinical settings. 

For more resources and tools to support oral health for people with intellectual disability visit the resources for oral health practitioners webpage.

WHY PARTICIPATE

• Build team confidence in supporting patients with intellectual disability 
• Strengthen inclusive, preventative care within your practice 
• Enhance patient experience and engagement 
• Contribute to more equitable access to oral health care across your community 

Expresssions of interest will be open soon

Contact

For more information or support please contact the Project GROW team at  intellectualdisability@cesphn.com.au

This program is a component of CESPHN’s Primary Care Enhancement Project, a Commonwealth initiative established to build the capacity of health care professionals to care for people with intellectual disability.