Occupational therapy in the dental office: An opportunity for fieldwork and beyond

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) facilitate participation in healthy daily activities for clients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) but may be overlooking an opportunity to utilize their distinct skill set for the health of clients related to dental care. Dental care is one of the most common unmet health needs among individuals with ID/DD, with higher frequency of dental disease and poorer oral hygiene compared with the general population (Obeidat et al. 2022; Wilson et al., 2019). Common conditions include bruxism (tooth grinding), cavities, periodontal disease including gingivitis, malocclusions, mouth breathing, gingival overgrowth, and poor oral motor control of saliva. Individuals are also at greater risk for dental disease due to medications high in sugar, preference for sugary foods, decreased saliva, and difficulty clearing foods from the oral cavity. Poor oral health can negatively impact quality of life; can negatively affect the ability to eat, sleep, speak, and function without pain; and can cause more serious illnesses, such as aspiration pneumonia and cardiac conditions (Wilson et al., 2019).