Dana Karkoutli

My experience working in the field of disabilities began with the great opportunity to work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association as a volunteer for over 2 years. It was an eye-opening experience as I enjoyed helping with organization of events for the Southeastern Louisiana chapter while also learning about the lives of people with muscular dystrophy. In college, I was a part of a genetics research study about the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. During my second-year of dental school, I completed 24 hours of continued education about dentistry and disabilities. I learned how despite many efforts, the field of dentistry in general continue to have barriers to care for people with disabilities. I wanted to focus my education and training on the community of people with disabilities to be able to treat them appropriately in the future. I want to be able to accommodate them and communicate with them effectively. Currently, I’m an Albert Schweitzer Fellow and I’m working with my fellowship partner to educate children with special needs and their caretakers proper dental hygiene techniques and raise awareness on oral health.  

Through the LEND experience, my goal is to be a better dental provider to people with disabilities. There persists a gap in dentistry between the needs of patients with disabilities and the care provided. One of my biggest goals that I would like to accomplish through LEND is to better understand the challenges patients with disabilities face at the dental office. In addition, I would like to be a part of the collaborating team of interprofessional students to interact together and learn more about our roles in patient-centered care.  

Whether I go into residency dental programs or not, I want to make sure I’m able to provide the best treatment to all my patients and especially those with disabilities. I hope to become an advocate to the rights of people with disabilities by inspiring other dentists to have welcoming hands to patients with disabilities and accommodate each patient’s needs.