Today, health leaders, government officials, and community advocates gathered at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry to open the Roger Wood, DDS, Special Care Clinic.
This state-of-the-art clinic will provide compassionate, comprehensive dental care to adults 18 years and older with developmental and acquired disabilities, while also preparing future oral health professionals to better serve patients with special needs.
“With this clinic, we can significantly expand our ability to serve the community while providing students with critical, hands-on experience that will shape their careers,” said Lyndon F. Cooper, DDS, Dean of the VCU School of Dentistry.
“This is a major step toward person-centered, compassionate care, and we look forward to further advancements in accessibility as we plan the new School of Dentistry building.”
Adults with disabilities, including those with cognitive, developmental, and physical challenges, remain one of the most underserved groups in oral health care in the United States.
In Virginia, only 56% of patients with developmental disability waivers received a dental checkup in the past year, largely due to a lack of clinics with the expertise and equipment to meet their needs.
Roger Wood, DDS, a retired pediatric dentist dedicated to treating patients with special needs, has provided care for adolescents and adults for decades at his Midlothian clinic, a “clinic within a clinic” model.
As he prepares to retire after more than 40 years, he and his wife, Karen Wood, have partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to continue their mission.
Their transformative gift established this new clinic, designed to meet the unique needs of patients with disabilities while cultivating the next generation of accessible healthcare providers.
“This work has touched the lives of so many people, and we want to ensure it continues,” said Karen Wood, Operations Manager for the Virginia Dental Society’s Member Benefits Program. “Virginia Commonwealth University has the resources and influence needed to realize this vision.”
Designed with patient comfort in mind, the clinic is equipped with a wheelchair lift, bariatric chairs, private treatment rooms with soothing adjustable lighting, a sound system, a projection screen, weighted blankets, sensory tools, head and body pillows, oral props, sunglasses, and noise-canceling headphones.
A dedicated entrance and specialized amenities are designed to reduce stress for both patients and caregivers. The equipment was purchased with funding from the Virginia Delta Dental Foundation.
As part of their curriculum, all VCU dental and dental hygiene students will receive training at the clinic, focusing on techniques for treating adult patients with disabilities to build confidence and competence to better serve this underserved population.
The clinic will also serve as a regional continuing education center, providing training opportunities for practitioners outside of VCU.
“Dental education is shifting toward preparing general dentists to provide care for individuals with disabilities and special health care needs,” said Jeff Johnson, DDS, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Education at the College of Dentistry. “We are grateful for the Woods’ generous gift and are excited about the impact the clinic can have across the state and nationally.”
Currently, the clinic is offering appointments for new patients via telehealth, with in-person visits coming soon. Once fully operational, the clinic expects to serve 500 patients annually and train 100 dental students and 20 dental hygiene students.
Looking ahead, the school plans to expand the clinic’s capacity as part of a new dental education building project currently under review by Virginia’s governor and legislators, slated for completion in early 2026. The new building will more than double the square footage and feature state-of-the-art special care dental facilities.
“As Virginia’s only dental school, we are honored to serve our citizens and the state,” said Johnson. “This clinic is another way for us to connect with the community—by doing what we do best: caring for others.”
