As the father of an adult son with intellectual disability (IDD) and autism, I understand the challenges of taking a child to the dentist.
For years, the dental office was a source of anxiety and struggle for me—I pleaded with my son to cooperate, while worrying he might accidentally injure the dentist in a fit of rage.
Even with the patient and professional dentists we encountered, the challenges of the visit were still apparent. Compounding the problem, as my child grew older, the number of dentists willing and able to treat adults with intellectual disabilities became increasingly limited.
So, when Alan Fuchs of Teaneck told me that Touro University School of Dentistry was planning to establish a dedicated TouroCares dental clinic specifically for patients with intellectual disabilities and autism, I was immediately drawn.
The clinic, located on the Touro School of Dentistry campus in Hawthorne, Westchester, New York, will be easily accessible and will feature a dedicated team of professionals providing comprehensive, compassionate care.
During my visit to the dental school, I interviewed Dr. Ronnie Myers, dean, and Dr. David Katz, vice dean. Dr. Myers is an experienced pediatric dentist with a long-standing commitment to the treatment and education of patients with intellectual disabilities.
He points out that lack of training is the primary reason why general dental clinics cannot accept patients with intellectual disabilities, forcing many patients to wait or even undergo general anesthesia in hospitals.
The TouroCares Clinic aims to provide students with more opportunities to interact with and treat individuals with disabilities, helping them overcome fear and uncertainty, and ultimately cultivating more dentists willing to serve this population.
The clinic will feature four large operating rooms that can accommodate wheelchairs and hydraulic lifts, as well as two operating rooms capable of general anesthesia and sedation, ensuring a safe and comfortable treatment environment for patients with diverse needs.
Furthermore, the clinic will serve as a “safety net” for underserved populations, focusing on patients and upholding the principles of dignity, inclusion, and compassionate care.
Since its founding in 2016, Touro Dental School has grown to become the third-largest predoctoral dental program in the United States, serving approximately 50,000 patients annually.
In the future, the TouroCares Clinic will not only fill the gap in dental services for patients with special needs, but will also inject a new mission into dental education—to empower the next generation of dentists to bring compassion and respect into their clinical practice.
As a parent of a person with intellectual disability or autism, I sincerely look forward to the opening of TouroCares. It is more than just a dental clinic; it is a manifestation of respect and care in society. I hope more people will join in supporting this initiative, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy high-quality dental care.