Dental Clinic

The Need for a New Dental Clinic

As part of Woods' commitment to provide high quality health care to its clients, an expanded Dental Clinic was established in 1994. The clinic provides routine, comprehensive, and emergency dental treatment to more than 670 people at Woods. On average, there are more than 2,000 client visits to the clinic each year.

Compassionate Dental Care for People with Special Needs

Dental care is provided by Woods' Director of Dental Services, who is among the top in her field in the mid-Atlantic region. Her specialty is serving people with developmental disabilities. The clinic staff provides oral hygiene training to all employees who care for Woods' clients, so that it is consistently carried out in the residential setting.

Providing Training for Dental Professionals

In addition to care provided to Woods' clients, the Director of Dental Services teaches a class in clinical pediatric dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Opportunities for instruction in the field of dental care for people with exceptional needs are not generally available. As a result, there is always a shortage of professionals who can provide specialized dental care for people with mental and emotional disabilities.

Woods' partnership with the university plays an important role in training dentists in the mid-Atlantic region. Dental students at the University are offered the opportunity to participate in a training program that provides a practical understanding of the special physical and emotional needs of people with disabilities.

The Dental Clinic Wing

The new building will offer an appropriate space for the dental area that is more comfortable and professional. Additional space in the treatment areas will also allow for better accommodation of people in wheelchairs, as well as room to enhance the educational experience for the dental students who rotate through the clinic.

More than 4,100 square feet will contain a patient waiting room, three treatment areas, an oral hygiene alcove, utility and sterilization areas, offices, and a conference room.