Component 01 In Person CE: Sensory Adapted Dental Environments: Inclusive Strategies for Patients with Intellectual, Developments, and Sensory Support Needs

 

November 14, 2026
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Northern Virginia Community College, Medical Education Campus
6699 Springfield Center Drive, Room 154
Springfield, VA 22150
Venue website
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Meet the Presenters: 

  • Stacey Reynolds, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA is a Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she also directs the interdisciplinary PhD Program in Health Sciences within the College of Health Professions. She has more than 20 years of research experience, over 50 peer-reviewed publications, and national recognition for her work on sensory processing differences in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, the Organization for Autism Research, and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities.
  • Janina Golob Deeb, DMD, MS received Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia in 1996. Following graduation, she completed a year of internship at the University of Ljubljana. She continued her education at Oregon Health Sciences University graduating with a certificate in Periodontology in 2000 and a Master in Science degree in Oral Molecular Biology in 2001. Dr. Golob Deeb is a board-certified periodontist and holds dental licenses in Virginia, Arizona, and Slovenia. Before joining VCU in 2013, she practiced as a periodontist in Tucson, Arizona. She continues to practice part-time at the McGuire Veteran’s Administration Hospital Dental Service in Richmond, VA.

Course Description

This continuing education event is designed for the entire dental team, including dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and front desk staff who interact directly with patients and families. Participants will learn about the sensory, motor, and communication needs of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and ADHD, and how these differences can impact dental experiences and outcomes. The training will focus on practical sensory modifications and environmental adaptions that can be implemented within dental settings to improve patient comfort, participation, and care. In addition to didactic training, the event will involve hands-on activities, including opportunities to modify a dental bay and experience a Sensory adapted Dental Environment firsthand.

Learning Objectives
1.   Describe how sensory processing differences and environmental stressors can impact participation, anxiety, and behavioral responses during dental care for individuals with developmental disabilities.
2.   Identify sensory-adapted environmental modifications that can be implemented in dental settings to improve patient comfort, cooperation, and access to care.
3.   Demonstrate practical strategies for modifying visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and communication-related aspects of the dental environment using low-cost, feasible adaptations.
4.   Apply strengths-based and trauma-informed communication approaches to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers during dental visits.
5.   Develop an implementation plan for incorporating at least one Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) strategy or patient-preparation resource into clinical practice.
Questions/Concerns. or in need of accomodations, please contact:
Betsy Di Silvio,RDH
NVDHC CE Chair
Northern Virginia Dental Hgienists' Component is an approved course provider by the Virginia Board of Dentistry.

Schedule

Time

Topic

Speaker

9:00 AM

Registration/Check-in (Coffee Available)

 

9:15 AM

Welcome & Pre-Session Survey

Dr. Janina Golob Deeb and Dr. Stacey Reynolds

9:30 AM- 11:00 PM

Oral care considerations for individuals with developmental diabilities (didactic/lecture)

 

Dr. Reynolds

Dr. Deeb

11:00-12:00

Hands-on experinces with the Sensory Adapted Dental Environment

 

 

 

12:00PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch (provided)

 

Questions and Post-Session Survey

 

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Tickets

$0.00 ADHA/VDHA Member

$0.00 Non-ADHA/VDHA member (Dentists, Dental Assistancts, Office Staff)

$0.00 Community guest

$0.00 Student Guest Ticket