Connection with Nisonger Center Ensures Care for an Underserved Population

Part of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, the dental clinics at the Nisonger Center provide support for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Pediatric patients are seen at a clinic located at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities (FCBDD), and complex adult patients are seen at McCampbell Hall, which is located on Ohio State’s main campus. College of Dentistry dental and dental hygiene students rotate through the clinics to learn how to work with this underserved population. 

“Patients may have conditions such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, for example, and often have co-morbidities,” said Marc Tassé, PhD, director of the Nisonger Center and professor in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ohio State. “The center is interprofessional. There are 120 faculty and staff from 15 or 16 different professional disciplines, including pediatricians, social workers, occupational therapists and speech pathologists.”

Dental Program Director Stephen Beetstra, DDS, MHSA, assistant professor-clinical in the College of Dentistry’s Division of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry, oversees the partnership between the center and the college. 

“The main goal is to provide dental students with experience treating a different population of patients,” Dr. Beetstra said. “They gain the confidence to try to manage patients who might take a little more patience and time. When dental students finish their rotations, they can say, ‘I can do this.’”

Prior to entering the clinic, dental students participate in class time with Dr. Beetstra, who discusses a psychological approach to behavior management for patients who are sometimes combative. While many of the center’s patients are referred to be treated under sedation, Dr. Beetstra finds that nearly 75% can be treated with non-pharmaceutical means. “Students learn how to communicate effectively with our patients to get the work done,” he said.

As healthcare has improved over the years, the lifespan for this population is increasing. The number of patients needing services every year continues to increase as does their complexity. 

“Unfortunately, our patients’ dental pathology is worse than the general population,” Dr. Beetstra said. “Often, food such as candy is used as rewards for behavior management. We see a lot of dental neglect.” 

“Oral hygiene affects general and mental health,” Dr. Tassé said. “The general public has a poor understanding of the important connection of good oral health care with good quality of life.”

Fortunately, the Nisonger Center’s dental clinics are available to provide a complete range of oral health services. “We are able to operate the clinic because of a contract with the FCBDD,” explained Dr. Tassé. “Thankfully, the university understands the importance of oral health and the unmet need for this population, and is supportive. We also have many loyal donors and grateful families who provide financial support.”

"When dental students finish their rotations, they can say, ‘I can do this.’” - Stephen Beetstra, DDS, MHSA