Janet Schneiderman, R.N., Ph.D., assistant professor at the USC School of Social Work, and Roseann Mulligan, D.D.S., M.S., professor and associate dean for community health programs at the USC School of Dentistry, have received a USC Urban Initiative Grant to evaluate the oral health and adherence to follow-up care among individuals with cognitive impairments.

Recent reports by Special Olympics International and the U.S. Surgeon General have revealed significant disparities and unmet health needs encountered by persons with developmental disabilities. They have more dental disease, more missing teeth and more difficulty obtaining dental care than other segments of the population. Among the factors contributing to these disparities include lack of properly trained providers, inadequate financing of dental services and the availability and accessibility of dental care services. The goal of this pilot study is to develop and test a viable research model at the South Central Los Angeles Regional Center that will result in generalizable data about the oral health needs and related behavioral and access issues among the developmentally disabled. Additionally, researchers anticipate the effort will help them expand data collection in future studies with all seven regional centers in Los Angeles County.

"This research project will address the concerns of people with special needs, who are considered to be the most underserved population in the U.S.," Schneiderman said. "It's a terrific service-learning opportunity for students from both the Schools of Social Work and Dentistry, who will work together as a multidisciplinary team providing counseling and oral health education designed specifically for those with developmental disabilities and their families."

The USC Urban Initiative provides grant money to the development of interdisciplinary research on urban environments. The methods and results of this study will be utilized to support an application for a program announcement by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 'Oral Health of Special Needs and Older Populations,' and for the Community Program Development Grant Fund offered by the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities.