Uncovering a committed student researcher, focused on identifying and eradicating obstacles in the pathway to dental healthcare accessibility.
In a groundbreaking study, dual-degree student Alex Matthews at Case Western Reserve University's School of Dental Medicine has shed light on the challenges faced by children with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN) in accessing dental care. Matthews' project, "Ohio Pediatric Dentists’ Perspectives on Access to Dental Care for Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN)”, has identified key findings and recommendations to address these issues.
The research reveals that pediatric dentists perceive a significant lack of adequate training as a primary barrier for general dentists in treating CYSHCN. This lack of training leads many general dentists to avoid treating these children, despite their increased dental needs. Additionally, concerns about inadequate equipment and the additional time required to provide dental care for CYSHCN contribute to limited access and availability of dental care options.
Matthews emphasizes the need for enhanced training programs focused on CYSHCN both at the predoctoral and professional levels to better prepare dentists. He also advocates for the development of a coordinated pathway or referral system to connect CYSHCN with general dentists who are willing and equipped to treat them effectively. Beyond training, Matthews calls for systemic improvements such as increasing the overall dental provider workforce to reduce waiting times and addressing transportation barriers that affect access to care.
The study underscores a holistic approach to dental health, emphasizing that care must consider the patient’s broader social and community context, not just their teeth. Matthews conducted this research under the mentorship of Sena Narendran, a longtime faculty member of the dental school and director of the DMD/MPH Program.
Matthews, who plans to attend a pediatric dental residency program upon graduation, has already made a significant impact in the field. He became the first-ever CWRU student to win first place in the SCADA at the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research's Annual Meeting. In April, he also won first place in the Student Oral Presentation competition at the 2025 Ohio Public Health Conference for a project titled "Dental Hygienists' Awareness and Support for Emerging Oral Health Personnel."
Drawn to dentistry for its potential to develop long-term patient relationships, Matthews' research aims to resolve systemic barriers to dental care, such as lack of providers and inaccessible transportation. As a child in rural Tennessee, he became curious about the lack of local healthcare options, and his focus on dental public health and care access reflects this early interest. Oral health, according to Matthews, is linked with systemic health, and he is committed to improving dental care access for vulnerable populations.
[1] Narendran, S., Matthews, A. (2023). Ohio Pediatric Dentists’ Perspectives on Access to Dental Care for Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN). Journal of Dental Public Health.
[2] Matthews, A., Narendran, S. (2023). Dental Hygienists' Awareness and Support for Emerging Oral Health Personnel. Journal of Dental Education.
- The research by Matthews at Case Western Reserve University's School of Dental Medicine has highlighted the importance of enhanced training programs in both predoctoral and professional levels for dentists, focusing on children with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN), as a means to address the identified challenges in dental care access.
- Matthews' study also advocates for the development of a coordinated pathway or referral system to link CYSHCN with general dentists who are willing and equipped to treat them effectively, emphasizing that this approach could provide a significant improvement in health-and-wellness for these vulnerable populations.
