Oral Health and Neurologic Complications in Aging Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Speaker
Dr. Seth M. Keller is a board-certified neurologist and Fulbright Specialist with Neurology Associates of South Jersey specializing in neurologic, aging, and dementia care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He is internationally recognized for advancing inclusive health through medical education, workforce training, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He is Past President of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, Co-President of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices, and founder of the Adult IDD Section of the American Academy of Neurology. He works globally with universities and health systems to strengthen IDD curriculum development, dementia care models, and sustainable training initiatives.
Disclosure: Dr. Keller has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Course Description
Aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) represent a rapidly growing population with complex and often underrecognized medical and neurologic needs. Increased life expectancy has led to higher rates of age-related conditions such as dementia, epilepsy, and movement disorders, frequently presenting earlier and atypically. Oral health plays a critical role in this population, with important connections to systemic inflammation, aspiration risk, and neurologic outcomes. Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to identify early signs of neurologic change, detect sources of pain or behavioral disturbance, and contribute to interdisciplinary care. This lecture will provide a practical framework for understanding neurologic aging in IDD, highlight key oral–systemic interactions, and offer actionable strategies to improve patient care, safety, and outcomes.
Educational Objectives
- Describe the common neurologic conditions associated with aging in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including dementia, epilepsy, and movement disorders.
- Recognize the bidirectional relationship between oral health and neurologic disease, including the impact of periodontal disease, oral pain, and dysphagia on systemic and brain health.
- Identify how neurologic conditions and related medications contribute to oral health complications such as xerostomia, gingival overgrowth, dysphagia, and aspiration risk.
- Apply practical, patient-centered dental care strategies for individuals with cognitive, behavioral, and physical challenges, including communication approaches and preventive care adaptations.
- Recognize signs of diagnostic overshadowing and atypical presentations of pain or neurologic decline in individuals with IDD to improve early detection and intervention.
- Understand the role of dental professionals within interdisciplinary care models aimed at optimizing health outcomes for aging adults with IDD.
This series is made possible through the support of Delta Dental.
Contact
For information, please contact Penn Dental Medicine Continuing Dental Education at:
PDMContinuingEd@dental.upenn.edu
Refund Policy
If a Registration Refund, Substitution and Cancellation Policy is not specifically stated on the registration fee page for the course, written refund requests (minus a $50 administration fee or 20%, whichever is less) will be honored if received by four working days prior to a given course. Penn Dental Medicine is not responsible for the refund of any part of the tuition as a result of emergencies, unforeseen circumstances, events beyond its control, or no-shows.
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine designates this activity as 1.50 continuing education credits.