EL PASO — People with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Borderplex often face financial challenges and limited access to dental care. To address this, the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, with support from the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation, hosted a series of oral health workshops last fall.
The free, hands-on sessions aimed to improve access to care and educate families, caregivers, and health professionals. Each workshop accommodated up to 50 participants and provided interactive training led by faculty dentists and dental students.
“By training caregivers and providers to practice preventive care at home, we can reduce anxiety around dental visits and help control disease before treatment is ever needed,” said Wilma Luquis-Aponte, associate professor at the Hunt School. “Access to dental care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is very limited. Preventive care improves outcomes when patients come to the clinic.”
The Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic is designed with accessibility in mind. A wheelchair lift allows patients to remain in their chairs during treatment.
“I work with parents, and many times they need more guidance and resources to know where to go for help,” said Maria Isabel De Rubiera, parent instructor at the Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center. “For adults, going to the dentist can still be intimidating. Workshops like this help parents understand that teeth are forever, and proper care is essential.”
Attendees of the three workshops received desensitization kits, including a toothbrush, rubber gloves, and a small dental mirror. These kits help families familiarize children with dental tools in a low-stress environment before appointments.
As part of the initiative, fourth-year dental students provided cleanings and screenings for cavities during a recent event, preparing them to serve communities like the Borderplex.
The program is funded by a Dental Trade Alliance Foundation grant, supporting three oral health workshops and one free cleaning event at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine. Community partners include University Medical Center of El Paso, the Autism Society of El Paso, GiGi’s Playhouse El Paso, The Arc of El Paso, El Paso Mom, Emergence Health Network, the Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center, and the Child Guidance Center.