546 Meeting the Oral Health Needs of Patients With Special Needs

In this episode of A Tale of Two Hygienists, Jessica and Dave welcome Candi Kidd, RDH, BSDH, MEd, to discuss the unique challenges patients with special healthcare needs face when accessing oral healthcare. From medically complex and tube-fed patients to collaborating with caregivers and healthcare teams, Candi shares practical strategies for creating more inclusive, compassionate, and effective dental experiences. This conversation challenges clinicians to rethink accessibility, advocacy, and the future of patient-centered care.

 

In this episode, we discuss:

 

Common barriers to oral healthcare for patients with special healthcare needs

 

Oral health considerations for medically complex and tube-fed patients

 

Collaborating with caregivers and interdisciplinary healthcare teams

 

Adapting preventive, therapeutic, and educational approaches

 

Creating more inclusive and compassionate dental experiences

 

The role of advocacy in improving access to care

 

Practical strategies clinicians can implement immediately

 

Where dental education and healthcare systems can continue to improve

 

Connect with Candi Kidd:

 

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @the.sunnysister

 

Connect with the Hosts:

 

Jessica Atkinson: [email protected]

Dave Torres: [email protected]