The Southern Illinois University (SIU Edwardsville) School of Dental Medicine offers comprehensive dental care for patients with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities and other special healthcare needs. Children and adults in central and southern Illinois with special needs can receive dental care at their Special Needs Patient Care Clinic in Alton.

Dental services are available at a reduced cost. The clinic accepts Medicaid and most dental insurance plans.

For questions or to become a patient at the SIU School of Dental Medicine, please call (618) 474-7000.

Advocate Dental Center provides a wide range of dental services for adults and children with developmental disabilities through its Special Patient Dental Care Program. The program’s services include:

• Dental exams and cleanings
• X-rays
• Fillings
• Root canal treatments
• Extractions, crowns and tooth replacements
• IV sedation
• Operating room dentistry

Call (773) 871-2188 to discuss Special Patient Dental Care Program eligibility and appointment scheduling.

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Care provides comprehensive dental care for children, including individuals with complex oral health needs and special developmental and behavioral care needs. Pediatric Dentistry clinics provide care for children from infancy through adolescence (under age 17), including:

• Comprehensive oral health examinations, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, restorative procedures (fillings, crowns, etc.)
• Extractions and minor surgical procedures
• Urgent care (trauma, infection, etc.) and more

These services can be completed using inhalation sedation (Nitrous oxide), moderate sedation and general anesthesia. Read more about pediatric services.

Social stories are also available to help children with autism or sensory issues get ready for a dental visit:

• Read the visit to the dentist story in English.
• Read mi historia de la visita al dentista en español.

For questions, please contact UIC College of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Care at (312) 996-7532 or dentpediatrics@uic.edu.

St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago provides dental care for children and adults with special needs. The Dental Center provides:

• Two operating rooms specifically for oral rehabilitation
• Dentists and surgeons trained to provide complex care, including careful and various levels of sedation
• Services from routine exams and cleanings to advanced orthodontics, crowns, urgent root canals and more
• Help with insurance and payment options

Please contact St. Bernard’s Dental Center at Dental@stbh.org or call (773) 962-3976 for more information.

Shady Oaks Camp is a non-profit, non-denominational, volunteer-driven organization serving children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. The summer camp provides fun activities, field trips and learning for individuals ages 5 and older. Campers must have an active Shady Oaks membership to attend camp.

See the Shady Oaks’ FAQ page for more information. For other questions, please contact soc16300@sbcglobal.net or (708) 301-0816.

Northlands Association for Special Recreation (NASR) is a cooperative partnership between the Belvidere, Freeport and Rockford Park Districts. NASR programs are open to individuals with disability-related needs including physical, mental and developmental disabilities, mental illness, behavior disorders and visual or hearing impairments.

Healing Horse Stables in Sidney, Ill., is a non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated learning for individuals of all ages and abilities. Healing Horse Stables promotes learning and physical, social and emotional well-being through programs that include:

• Therapeutic riding
• Riding for relaxation
• Horsemanship programs
• Field trips

For questions, fill out the Healing Horse Stable online form or email healinghorsestables@gmail.com

QCA Adaptive Sports Association is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization in the Quad City area offering a safe, accessible and accepting environment for people with physical disabilities to enjoy adaptive sports and recreational opportunities. Sports programs include:

• Wheelchair basketball
• Tennis
• Rowing
• Softball and more

For questions, please use this online form to contact QCA Adaptive Sports Association.

Equestrian Connection provides therapy programs for children and adults with mental, emotional and physical challenges and disabilities. Programs include hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, art therapy, job training and more. Class instructors are clinically licensed occupational and physical therapists, experienced clinicians and instructors, and trained volunteers.

Programs are available in individual and group settings. For more information, call Equestrian Connection at (847) 615 8696.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Assistive Technology (AT) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) resource page can help guide parents and professionals who support children with disabilities who need AT devices and services for meaningful access and engagement in education. Information is available in English and Spanish.

The page also includes “Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Devices and Services.” This publication aims to increase understanding of the AT requirements under IDEA. It also aims to:

• Dispel common misconceptions about AT
• Provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities
• Highlight the different requirements under Part C and Part B of IDEA

You can also review “Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Devices and Services” in Spanish.