ABSTRACT
The Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968 and has grown into a global movement involving 2.5 million athletes, in addition to millions of volunteers, family members, and friends. The international organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The year-round programs provide opportunities for participants to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Most important has been the opportunity to demonstrate what people with intellectual disabilities can do, rather than what they can't do.
Subject(s)
Dental Care for Disabled , Persons with Mental Disabilities , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Attitude of Health Personnel , Child , Disabled Children , Education, Dental , Health Services Accessibility , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Insurance Coverage , Medicaid , Pediatric Dentistry/education , Residence Characteristics , Sports , United States , Young AdultABSTRACT
The economics of dentistry during a recession can be difficult. The particular concerns raised in this period of economic uncertainty are considered from the perspectives of earlier recessions and the system for payments of dental services. The eventual turnaround in the economy and a favorable future for dental practice are emphasized.
Subject(s)
Practice Management, Dental/economics , Dental Care/economics , Economics , Financing, Personal/economics , Health Services Needs and Demand/economics , Humans , Insurance Coverage/economics , Insurance, Health/economics , New York , United StatesABSTRACT
The numbers of dental school graduates and students enrolled in post graduate programs have increased. Decreases are noted in the enrollment in Periodontics and Prosthodontics programs and a marked increase in the enrollment in Pediatric Dentistry programs. A review of these changes, by gender and race/ethnicity provides an overview of the future demographics of the profession. Some concerns regarding the future are considered.
Subject(s)
Dentists/statistics & numerical data , Education, Dental, Graduate/statistics & numerical data , Students, Dental/statistics & numerical data , Dentists, Women/statistics & numerical data , Education, Dental, Graduate/trends , Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Male , Minority Groups/statistics & numerical data , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
The 2000 Census reported that 39% of the residents of New York State categorized themselves as members of a minority group. By 2025, it is projected that 47% of the state population (9.2 million individuals) will be other than non-Hispanic whites. A review of the evolving demographics, health concerns and economics is presented.
Subject(s)
Dental Care/statistics & numerical data , Minority Groups/statistics & numerical data , Population Dynamics , Adolescent , Adult , Black or African American/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Asian/statistics & numerical data , Child , Child, Preschool , Dental Care for Children/statistics & numerical data , Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data , Health Status , Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Insurance Coverage/statistics & numerical data , Insurance, Health/statistics & numerical data , Middle Aged , New York , Preventive Dentistry/statistics & numerical data , White People/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
In 2004, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) adopted a new standard that directs dental and dental hygiene programs to prepare dental professionals for the care of persons with special health care needs. This article reviews the demographics of individuals with special needs, documents that most dental schools provide their students with very limited educational opportunities related to the care of this population, describes the path that was followed to bring about change in the accrediting standard, and discusses the difficulties involved in developing the needed educational programs. Educational programs at two dental schools are presented as examples of how schools can provide students with learning experiences pertinent to the new CODA standard that states: "Graduates must be competent in assessing the treatment needs of patients with special needs."
