Many dental professionals are unwilling to accommodate adults with developmental disabilities and the consequences are extending far beyond the mouth.
In what experts are calling a national crisis, few dentists are treating individuals with special needs, especially once they reach adulthood.
At the heart of the problem: money and knowledge. Medicaid offers notoriously low reimbursement rates for dentists, so few accept the government health insurance program. And in some states, Medicaid doesn’t cover oral care at all.
Meanwhile, some dentists are simply uncomfortable meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities since they often don’t receive training on how to serve this population while in dental school.
And the consequences can be far reaching. Without dental care, something as simple as a toothache can lead to a meltdown for those with disabilities, experts say.
Some nonprofit groups — including Special Olympics — are working to meet the need by offering free dental care, but they say their efforts are not enough. They’re urging the federal government to take action by identifying those with disabilities as a medically underserved group, reports ABC News. To read more click here.
Hear, hear! This is a major problem, especially now that we know that periodontal disease can lead to so many other serious conditions. And it isn’t fair that people with disabilities, who already appear “diffferent” should have teeth pulled rather than fixed.
I just found out that the drugs I have been taking for the last 12 years of my disabilty have rotted my teeth from the inside out. No plaque, no gum disease – just a mouthful of teeth that have to be pulled or crowned. I have no money for this and the Baylor School of Dentistry has a waiting list. If the infected molsars get to my brain I die. How’s that for the sad state of affairs. I cannot use my the dentist I have used for the last 30 years. I have insurance but it only pays about half.
Off-course dentist plays a vital role in human life and their by making use of proper medicine for germs eradication from the tooth damage. Children can get the teeth very soon but the problem is with the adult and are requested to take proper steps……..
I personally know the extent of treatment that is recommended/provided for periodontal disease. Unfortunately, when the people with DD that I work with go to the dentist, they might only get a report that they “need to brush more”. Periodontal treatment is not even suggwested because Medicaid won’t cover it. So, with this professional recommendation, direct support professionals are more of less directed to prompt the individual to do the required brushing. Of course, lack of brushing likely was what led to the perio problems, so additional prompting leads to behavioral problems and, subsequently, administrative hang-wringing over the situation. A vicious cycle then ensues…
another form of discrimination that needs to be addressed, unfortunately through legislation and simply because individuals are unable to bring themselves to do what is right just from social conscience- how come a dentist can’t make special payment arrangements or offer special clinic times and rates for our special needs population? there is really nothing preventing them from doing so, other than self-interest – our family dentist does a great job and continues to see our daughter, now 40 years old and we pay full rate, installments if necessary – he hasn’t refused her treatments so I guess we are just lucky and grateful for it – it is such a shame others can’t get the same unless an advocate or family member intervenes and is willing to cough up the cash – there are some dental school clinics in some cities, but that’s another story – and who is it who says less government is better? without govt support our family members would be in a terrible bind, worse than many already are
I don’t think you need special training in order to care for these people. I mean they are people too! This article makes it sound like they are not human. Second off you just need to give them extra support by being attentive to any of their needs and act professional. If you treat them with respect you will surely see that back in return. They need proper dental care just like anyone else.
It leads to more than meltdowns- meltdowns are the least of it. One can get serious infections, sinus issues, new difficulties with eating and swallowing that could additionally lead to nutritional difficulties, to name just a few.
We have a wonderful group of pediatric “specialized” dentists (they also see adults with special needs) in Gastonia who we go too. We also couldn’t get “regular or even pediatric dentists willing to serve my son. So you just have to ask, look around. We live an hour away but they are worth the drive.
i agree totally. It has to be the right dentist, and they are hard to come by.