Improving the Oral Health of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Presented by Leslie DeGroat, RN
The Division of Developmental Disabilities was awarded a grant from the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation. This presentation will describe our grant project and what we hope to accomplish with this opportunity throughout our division and for people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities in Missouri related to promoting access to dental care and home hygiene practices.
Ms. Leslie DeGroat is the Clinical Coordinator for State Operated Programs for the Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities. She has been employed as a nurse with the Division since 2008 and works to ensure that people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities served by the Division have their health and wellness needs met. One area that has been an object of focus for a Division-wide initiative is Oral Health due to a disparity between oral health care for people with I/DD versus people who do not have I/DD. She received her Associate Degree in Nursing from North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Mo and is a member of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association.