LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE

Clinical Services Bureau provides funding for, or manages specialty clinics focused on providing services for persons with IDD.

Dental Clinic

Many persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) receive dental care in their home communities. Some individuals also have special dental needs and are seen at the DDSD Specialty Clinic which is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The clinic is staffed by experts at providing quality dental care for persons with disabilities. They and their team of hygienists and dental assistants have training, experience and skills to meet the unique dental needs of their patient.

The specialty needs dental clinic accepts many kinds of insurance and is a DD Waiver Supplemental Dental Provider.

Please call us at our 505-222-4600 phone number for an appointment and take a moment before your appointment to read the Dental Appointment Reminders to learn how you can make the most out of your dental appointment.

Specialty Seating Clinic

The Specialty Seating Clinic (SSC) is in Albuquerque and is staffed with licensed therapists specializing in wheelchair seating and mobility along with experienced staff members. Any citizen of New Mexico with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) may ask for assistance in obtaining a specialized wheelchair and/or custom molded seating system from the person’s insurance (including Medicare/Medicaid).

After receiving supportive documentation from a person’s primary care provider, licensed clinicians will complete a seating evaluation with individuals and their caregivers (family, guardian, therapy providers, interdisciplinary team members, etc.). Based on the evaluation process, a customized seating system is recommended. There is no charge for this evaluation. The clinic staff will troubleshoot problems and can make minor repairs to existing wheelchairs and seating systems. The SSC staff also work with teams and the person on round-the-clock positioning strategies to assist a person in being comfortable throughout their day.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers process requests for specialized equipment through medical insurance (private and Medicaid/Medicare). Once insurance authorization is acquired, the DME providers work with SSC staff/contractors to supply the appropriate wheelchair components. Custom seating systems can be manufactured at the clinic for individuals with significant postural deformities.

Learn More

See our Specialty Seating Clinic Flyer for more details.

Supports and Assessment for Feeding

The mission of the Supports and Assessment for Feeding and Eating (SAFE) Clinic is to provide support and guidance to individuals, Interdisciplinary Teams (IDT) and families regarding safe and healthy eating or tube feeding.

Any New Mexican with a developmental disability may be referred to this clinic. The multidisciplinary SAFE clinic team is comprised of a nutritionist, physician, nurse, physical therapist, and speech-language pathologist.

Please see our SAFE Clinic for Adults Brochure to learn more about the clinic, who it serves, what services it provides, how it works, who can refer, and more.

Services

The team provides expertise in the areas of medical support, nutritional analysis, seating and positioning and oral-motor/swallowing function. Each clinic is designed to meet the needs of the referred individual.

Recommendations are made for appropriate seating and positioning, eating/feeding techniques, adapted eating equipment, nutritional support and medical support.

• Children ages 0-17 are seen at the Pediatric SAFE clinic, which is based at the UNM Center for Development and Disability (CDD). Appointments for children can be made by calling the Pediatric SAFE Clinic 505-272-3167.
• Adults age 18 and over are seen at the DDSD SAFE Clinic. Appointments for adults can be made by calling 800-283-5548.