The University of Rochester Medicine's Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) has been awarded a $3.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for an educational initiative to help train dentists to treat patients with special needs.
The five-year program will train more than 100 pediatric and general dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and other staff in treating the unmet oral health needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The grant also covers the treatment of adults with type 1 diabetes, congenital heart defects, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, according to the institute.
"Eastman Institute for Oral Health is committed to helping patients with special needs through direct treatment, wide-ranging support, and by educating current and future providers," stated EIOH Director Eli Eliav, DMD, PhD, in a press release.
The training will take place at the university's new Center for Adults with Special Health Care Needs and the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, starting in July 2016.
