Bringing Disability-Friendly Dental Care to Children Nationwide

Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the DTA Foundation, TeamSmile added a new, disability-friendly project to its traditional program at sports stadiums in three cities in 2025. In Buffalo, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, and Kansas City, MO, 67 children with intellectual and developmental disabilities from low-income backgrounds received dental cleanings, treatment, and education at no cost. What made this project unique was TeamSmile’s partnership with local occupational therapists to ensure each dental visit was tailored to each patient’s needs. By taking the time to communicate what they could expect from the dental visit and providing sensory toys and a quieter environment, each child was able to go home with a healthier smile, regardless of the barriers they typically face in accessing oral healthcare. These are children who, otherwise, may have waited years to see a dentist, but were able to get the care they needed. This pilot project shows the need for specialized care like this, and how we can better support underserved populations—like children with disabilities—in accessing oral healthcare.