
Overcoming Obstacles to Dental Care for Patients With Special Needs
University of Nebraska dental hygiene students gain hands-on experience treating patients with complex needs in an operating room setting with the hopes of improving the next generation of clinicians’ ability to effectively care for patients with special healthcare needs.
Dental hygiene students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry recently participated in a pioneering hands-on simulation designed to help them care for patients with special healthcare needs and disabilities (SHCND). Held at UNMC’s Davis Global Center, the students trained in an advanced operating room simulation, preparing them to assist in treating patients with complex dental conditions in hospital settings.
Individuals with SHCND often encounter significant barriers to receiving adequate oral healthcare, ranging from difficulty accessing services to higher treatment costs. These factors contribute to a higher risk of oral diseases including dental caries and periodontal diseases among this population. At UNMC, this simulation was designed to deepen their understanding of the unique challenges these patients face and to teach them practical skills for treating such individuals, whether in a traditional dental office or in a hospital operating room.
Through interprofessional collaboration and skill development, the program highlights the essential role dental hygienists play in maintaining the oral health of vulnerable populations. Instructors emphasized empathy, teamwork, and the importance of preventive care in reducing the need for more invasive treatments later.
By exposing students to real-world scenarios, this initiative empowers the next generation of dental professionals to better serve patients with special needs, helping to close the gap in oral health equity. Click here to read more.