The School of Dental Medicine makes a direct impact on thousands of lives through the various programs facilitated by the Division of Special Care in Dentistry. The division takes a proactive role in providing quality, locally-based clinical services and aggressive preventive education programs to under-served populations.
Without the division’s outreach, most of these patients would not otherwise receive dental health care, due to issues such as the difficulties that characterize treatment of disabled individuals and the decreasing number of dentists who accept state-provided health insurance. By bringing specially-trained dentists, hygienists and other dental health care providers directly to patients who need treatment the most, the division has set a national benchmark for serving the special needs population.
Commonwealth of Massachussetts Dental Program for Persons with Special Needs in Partnership with Tufts Dental School
Since 1976, The Tufts Dental Facilities (TDF) have provided comprehensive oral health care to developmentally disabled individuals in Massachusetts. The result of a contractual partnership between the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the state’s Department of Developmental Services, the nationally recognized program – the largest of its kind – serves more than 9,000 patients at eight clinics throughout the state. The program also maintains arrangements with four hospitals to address the needs of patients who require IV sedation or general anesthesia for treatment.
Focused on the dental health needs of individuals with disabilities such as mental retardation, autism, blindness and Down syndrome, Tufts Dental Facilities depend on the support of university, community, government, hospital and private health care resources to fill an important health care gap for this population.
Special Needs Community Dental Health Program
Serving 5,000 patients annually in nearly 200 locations, the TDF Special Needs Community Dental Health Program delivers on-site dental health services to high-risk populations in schools, Head Start programs, adult day activity centers, sheltered workshops and community residences. Nine dental hygienists travel throughout the state with portable dental equipment, providing oral health education, screening, dental cleaning, dental sealants and fluoride application to Head Start students, students with special needs and other individuals. Hygienists also make referrals to local dentists and offer ongoing case management services, providing a critical continuum of care that extends beyond twice-yearly cleanings.
Special Care Rotation
Unlike most dental schools, Tufts offers students a unique opportunity to work with special needs patients in a clinical setting. Before graduating, students are required to spend one week at one of the Tufts Dental Facilities.
General Practice Residency Program
Through the General Practice Residency Program, students spend about 40 percent of their time working with special needs patients – significantly more than they would at a typical hospital or community health center. Like the Special Care Rotation, this experience provides important exposure to both the challenges and rewards of working with the special needs population.
Tufts Dental Facilities
To make an appointment, please contact one of the locations below. Please note that due to high demand for services, TDF locations are not always able to accept new patients, and wait lists can be long.
| Tufts Dental Facility Seven Hills at Groton 22 Hillside Ave Groton, MA 01450 Phone: 978-448-3388 Ext 354 Fax: 978-448-2695 |
Tufts Dental Facility Northwoods Medical Center 2007 Bay St. Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: 508-823-7323 Fax: 508-823-7932 |
| Tufts Dental Facility Templeton Developmental Center 212 Freight Shed Rd. Baldwinville, MA 0l436 Phone: 978-939-2161 X2309 Fax: 978-939-1110 |
Tufts Dental Facility Glavin Regional Center 214 Lake St. Shrewsbury, MA 01545 Phone: 508-845-9111 X147 Fax: 508-845-4668 |
| Tufts Dental Facility Wrentham Developmental Center Emerald St. Wrentham, MA 02093 Phone: 508-384-8987 Fax: 508-384-6594 |
Tufts Dental Facility Hogan Regional Center 450 Maple St. P.O. Box A Hathorne, MA 0l937 Phone: 978-774-5000 X510 Fax: 978-750-0925 |
| Tufts Dental Facility Monson Developmental Center State Ave. Palmer, MA 01069 Phone: 413-283-3684 Fax: 413-283-4632 |
Tufts Dental Facility Massachusetts Hospital School 3 Randolph St. Canton, MA 02021 Phone: 781-562-0349 Fax: 781-562-1058 |
