Gentle, Joyful Care
Dental Student Creates “Smiles For All” Program for Special Needs Patients
Hunt School of Dental Medicine initiative transforms dental care through innovative desensitization approach that replaces sedation
When Kelly Yang, then a third-year Texas Tech Health El Paso Hunt School of Dental Medicine student, noticed patients with special needs required sedation for routine dental procedures, she developed a solution.
Her creation, Smiles For All, is a pioneering program that helps individuals with special needs become comfortable in dental environments. The program pairs special needs patients with dental student volunteers who provide step-by-step exposure to dental equipment, sounds and procedures.
Sessions take place on the fourth Friday of each month, ensuring consistency by pairing each participant with the same student providers over multiple one-hour sessions. The program focuses on individuals with autism and aims to expand to include those with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy soon.
“I felt it was a disservice to our community that individuals, due to their disabilities, have to rely on sedation for comfort during procedures,” said Yang, who is now in her fourth and final year. “I wanted to implement a solution at our school since we have the facilities, including rooms dedicated to special needs and quiet spaces with sliding doors.”
After attending the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry conference in Toronto, Yang learned about desensitization programs for children with autism. She recognized that many patients with disabilities often resort to sedation due to a lack of alternatives.
Yang's commitment to working with individuals with special needs stems from childhood experiences. She has participated in “skate therapy” where she helped children with disabilities, organized a special needs prom in college, and taught golf to kids.
“Each shot in golf is very different,” said Yang, who found inspiration in the sport. “While the basic mechanism remains the same, every shot presents its own unique challenge. I found that in dentistry as well,” said Yang.
For children with special needs, a regular dental suite can be intimidating. The clinical atmosphere, unfamiliar equipment, and potential discomfort may trigger fear and anxiety.
Research shows this reluctance has consequences. According to studies by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center, children with special health care needs face significant barriers to obtaining routine dental care, including stress and anxiety, as well as difficulties in finding accepting providers.
Patients with disabilities often lack preventive and routine oral care, leading to costly emergency visits requiring sedation. The program trains future smile heroes to prioritize early intervention, fostering confidence and compassion essential for their practices. This proactive approach improves patient care and reduces the need for expensive emergency treatments.
Wilma Luquis-Aponte, D.M.D., Ph.D., faculty advisor for the program, has witnessed remarkable success already. “We've seen a 30-year-old Level 3 autism patient who, after years without care, now successfully receives routine dental treatment without sedation,” she said.
Training future health care leaders
The program's approach is methodical. Dental students introduce themselves and talk to patients and caregivers appropriately, sitting down to establish rapport. They adjust lighting, work at the patient's pace, and use clear, concise language with visual aids to explain procedures.
Yang's initiative collaborates with the Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Interest Group and the Disability Inclusivity in Dentistry, both campus student organizations. Together, they bring approximately seven students to work with three children during each session.
Patients can be seen in two specialized needs dental suites equipped with customized dental tools, calming lighting, and one suite with a specialized chair for patients who use wheelchairs. One suite was made possible through a generous gift from Bank of America El Paso, and a second suite was made possible by Ethos Financial, along with its President and CEO, Inaam Ziyadeh. Their support ensures that Yang and her fellow students receive the proper training they need to help provide patients with the oral health care they deserve.
“The ‘Smiles For All’ program is a thoughtful and innovative approach to meeting the needs of individuals in our community, and this initiative is playing a crucial role in access to dental care for El Pasoans,” said Ruben H. Torres, president, Bank of America El Paso. “At Bank of America, we know that our community is only as strong and healthy as its members. We’re proud to support efforts that empower our community for a thriving future.”
El Pasoans face significant challenges in accessing dental care. Nearly 40% of the city's population lives in areas with a shortage of dental health professionals, making programs like Smiles For All especially valuable.
The dental school's curriculum employs a spiral learning approach, systematically building students' expertise in special needs care from year one through clinical practice. Students must demonstrate competency through two complete special needs cases, and present a third case to faculty.
“We're positioning ourselves among leading institutions like Texas A&M, University of the Pacific and Penn State in advancing special needs dental care,” explained Dr. Luquis-Aponte. “Our goal is to empower special needs patients to feel confident in the dental office and build trust in their dentist.”
A journey of trust and comfort
Yang plans to pursue a pediatric dentistry residency after she graduates, demonstrating her commitment to improving dental care accessibility for children with special needs.
“Each smile we help create represents a journey of trust and comfort,” Yang said. “When a child who once needed sedation can sit through a cleaning with confidence, that's when we know we're making a difference.”
For more information about Smiles For All or to participate in upcoming sessions, contact the Hunt School of Dental Medicine at 915-215-6000.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 rural counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education.
With a focus on excellence in health care education, research and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 professionals over the past decade, and will include dental graduates beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.