The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted on July 26, 1990, stands as one of the most significant civil rights laws in U.S. history. Designed to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for Americans with disabilities, the ADA has had a profound impact on advancing health equity in various domains, including oral health. The ADA has been a transformative force in advancing health equity for Americans with disabilities by championing their rights to accessible health care services. Under Title II of the ADA, state and local governments, including public healthcare institutions, are mandated to offer equal access and reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. This ensures that medical facilities, including dental offices, are equipped to cater to diverse patient needs, fostering an environment where disabled individuals can receive oral health services with dignity and equality.

Moreover, the ADA’s influence extends beyond physical accessibility. It has also propelled the integration of universal design principles, ensuring that health care spaces are inclusive and accommodating to people with disabilities. Dental offices now incorporate features like wheelchair ramps, wider doors, and adjustable examination chairs, all aimed at enhancing the accessibility of oral health care for individuals with mobility impairments.

Despite the monumental progress achieved through the ADA, individuals with disabilities continue to face significant challenges in accessing optimal oral health care. According to the National Council on Disability’s April 2023 report, poor oral health outcomes are a result of several systemic barriers: “(1) the insufficient number of [oral health care] providers rendering care … (2) the lack of government policies that support dental benefits … and (3) the insufficient funding to support essential [oral health care] services” for people with disabilities.

By acknowledging the remaining challenges and building upon the ADA’s foundation, we can work collectively to achieve a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health care system that uplifts the well-being and dignity of all Americans. To that end, and as part of CareQuest Institute’s philanthropic strategy, we are continuously and actively developing grantmaking opportunities that shed light on disparities and develop solutions rooted in communities. Through the Disability Inclusion and Justice in Oral Health Request for Proposals (RFP), CareQuest Institute is seeking to fund projects and partner with organizations that are working to address systemic barriers to oral health for people with disabilities and awarding $1.25M total—10 grants of $125,000 each. CareQuest Institute will prioritize proposals that reflect an authentic commitment to meaningfully and consistently engaging members of the disability community beyond treatment, and focus on upstream drivers, community empowerment, and justice. Proposals are due August 31, 2023.

This doesn’t just end with us. The philanthropic community can contribute significantly to addressing oral health care inaccessibility for individuals with disabilities. By funding initiatives that increase specialized oral health care providers, advocating for inclusive government policies, supporting research projects, and partnering with disability advocacy groups, philanthropic organizations can help bridge the workforce gap, promote equitable dental-based solutions, and elevate community voice in decision-making. By working together, the philanthropy field can drive positive change and work towards a more accessible and inclusive oral health care system for all Americans.

Read the full article about oral healthcare for people with disabilities by Kaz Rafia at Grantmakers in Health.