ATSU-ASDOH alum completes LEND fellowship
Posted: June 27, 2016
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) has selected Abrahim Caroci, DMD, ’13, MS, to be profiled for his work during his Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) fellowship in pediatric dentistry at the University of Rochester LEND program. AUCD trainees share their research, clinical, policy, and advocacy experiences and how their training influenced their professional interests and visions for their future. Dr. Caroci is also currently completing a pediatric dentistry residency at University of Rochester-Eastman Institute for Oral Health.
Dr. Caroci has always had an ongoing interest in meeting the needs of underserved populations, and it was one of the reasons he wanted to be a part of A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH). While a student at ATSU-ASDOH, he volunteered with Special Olympics Special Smiles (SOSS), a program that provides oral healthcare education and free dental screenings to participating Special Olympics athletes. According to Dr. Caroci, his involvement was a catalyst for his interest to work with people who had intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and become a SOSS clinical director in Arizona. With the support of ATSU-ASDOH, he proposed and coordinated the first “Day For Special Smiles” event in Arizona and in New York.
“In dental school, I began to understand that individuals with IDD are one of the most underserved populations with regard to oral health, often due to professionals’ lack of experience with this population and a lack of training during dental school,” says Dr. Caroci. “My experience with Special Smiles helped me appreciate working with an interdisciplinary team, which led me to ultimately pursue training with LEND.”
Dr. Caroci’s current research is focused on identifying barriers to successfully transition patients from pediatric-centered to adult-centered care, and how individuals with IDD are accessing medical and dental services. Working with an interdisciplinary research team, he and others are developing strategies to improve access to clinical services for individuals in the transition process. He also hopes to connect with pediatric dentistry providers in New York State and create an accessible list of providers for families who have children with special healthcare needs.
“LEND has helped me gain valuable interdisciplinary healthcare skills to better serve people with IDD in my community and to take advantage of the local resources available,” says Dr. Caroci. “A team approach improves the patient and family experience.”
After completion of his LEND training, Dr. Caroci plans to divide his time among private pediatric dentistry practice, Special Olympics volunteering, American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, and local organizations or universities serving people with IDD.