NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Meharry Medical College’s School of Dentistry today officially celebrated the Abilities Beyond Life’s Expectations (A.B.L.E.) Clinic with a ribbon cutting ceremony, highlighting its commitment to addressing the dental needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a population that experiences disproportionate levels of tooth decay and complex oral health issues.
Located on Meharry’s campus within the School of Dentistry, the A.B.L.E. Clinic is one of only a few clinics in Tennessee dedicated to providing comprehensive, specialized oral health care to this historically underserved population. Fewer than 10% of dentists today report being willing and equipped to provide care to this population, according to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Oral Health in America report. This stark reality leaves nearly 1 in 4 adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities without routine dental care.
“For 150 years, Meharry has stepped forward to serve communities that have faced barriers accessing quality health care, and the A.B.L.E. Clinic continues that legacy,” said James E.K. Hildreth, Ph.D., M.D., president and chief executive officer of Meharry, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the clinic. “Our School of Dentistry is tackling this challenge on two vital fronts. We are providing adults with disabilities the dignified, tailored treatment they deserve, while thoroughly equipping future dentists to serve this population. The A.B.L.E. Clinic stands as a national model that will expand compassionate care far beyond our campus.”
Led by Clinical Director Joyce Barbour, DDS, the center offers comprehensive oral health services, including routine cleanings, exams and X-rays, as well as advanced procedures such as extractions, root canals, crowns and dentures. The A.B.L.E. Clinic’s name reflects its focus on inclusion, dignity and accessibility, while helping challenge the stigma surrounding caring for individuals with disabilities. Its care model combines specialized dental treatment with behavioral support and individualized clinical approaches designed to meet the unique needs of each patient. To ensure care remains accessible to all families, the clinic accepts all insurance plans and works to provide treatment regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
“For families that have spent years being turned away or told their loved one is ‘too difficult’ to treat, this clinic is a true sanctuary,” said Dr. Barbour. “Each individual who sits in our chair needs a provider who meets them with patience, flexibility and deep compassion. While the dental treatments required can be complex, the relief for these families is immediate.”
The establishment of the A.B.L.E. Clinic addresses a pervasive, systemic gap in health care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities:
- An estimated 8 million Americans live with intellectual or developmental disabilities today, including approximately 160,000 Tennesseans, according to the Residential Information Systems Project and the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- Research from the American Dental Association highlights the oral health disparities experienced by this population, with studies showing more than 40% of individuals with intellectual disabilities have untreated dental decay.
These disparities are largely driven by physical and structural barriers in traditional practices, according to the National Institutes of Health. A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services study found nearly 1 in 5 specialty dental practices cannot treat wheelchair users due to inaccessible facilities or a lack of specialized equipment. To eliminate these obstacles, Meharry designed the A.B.L.E. Clinic on the first floor of the School of Dentistry with expanded treatment bays that can accommodate wheelchairs, gurneys, caregivers and family members.
In addition to removing physical barriers, the A.B.L.E. Clinic directly addresses the widespread lack of specialized provider training by supplying Meharry’s dental students, residents and dental assistants with hands-on experience caring for individuals with disabilities, preparing them to better serve this community.
“Beyond patient care, there is also a powerful ripple effect on our students,” said Dr. Barbour. “Whether they are drawn to this work by a loved one with special needs or discover a new calling in our clinic, seeing future dentists get inspired to serve this population is deeply rewarding. I am honored to lead the A.B.L.E. Clinic and create more opportunities where every patient feels safe, respected and genuinely embraced.”
The launch and ongoing mission of the A.B.L.E. Clinic are made possible through shared community commitment and philanthropic sponsorship, including vital support from Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Smile180 Foundation. Founded in 2014, the Smile180 Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Tennessee, and its name reflects the belief that a healthy smile can completely turn someone’s life around.
“The Smile180 Foundation is dedicated to expanding dental care to communities that need it most, and the A.B.L.E. Clinic embodies that commitment in every way,” said Phil Wenk, D.D.S., executive director of the Smile180 Foundation. “Supporting Meharry in this effort was a natural fit for us because it addresses one of the most critical and overlooked health care gaps in both our state and country. By pairing dignified treatment for adults with disabilities with hands-on training for future dentists, Meharry is giving these patients and their families the healthy, confident smiles they deserve.”
