I just received another message that you might be interested in.
Anthony
----- Original Message -----
From: Denis Anson
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 2:47 PM
Subject: Re: An Open Letter on dental care
The issues of dealing with abnormal muscle tone in dentistry is a very
difficult one. I know of one program, DECOD, that is focused on
providing dental care for those with disabilities. This program is
hosted out of the University of Washington, and if you can call them at
206-543-4619, they may be able to recommend a dentist in your area that
does this type of work.
In defense of some of the dentists who don't want to work on those with
motor problems, it is OK for a professional to recognize that there are
issues that they can't deal with. However, they should be willing to
work with you to find a solution, rather than just slamming the door in
your face.
Denis Anson, MS, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
College Misericordia
301 Lake St.
Dallas, PA 18612
-----Original Message-----
From: Augmentative Communication Online Users Group
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dani Bryant
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 12:37 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: An Open Letter on dental care
As a parent of a child with athetoid CP and serious dental problems, let
me explain to the dental professionals a couple of other things.
I cannot find EVEN ONE orthodontist in our area that will even look at
my son. As soon as I tell them the problems, they say there is nothing
they can do. As far as regular dentists, there are very few, and they
fall into one of two categories: ones who want to put him under general
anestesia for every little thing, and those that don't want to put him
under, but want to yank every tooth out when there's a problem.
Do not assume that all patients with CP or other disabilities have to
worry about what Medicaid will pay for. My son has a large trust fund
from which he can pay for any medical needs.
If you as a dentist would work on an able bodied person and do a certain
proceedure, then you should do the same for a disabled one. It's a
matter of human rights. Disabled people have the right to look as good
as possible, just like everyone else. Dentists do not have an exemption
from ADA!
Also do not assume that all disabled people with problem teeth are due
to poor hygiene. I brush my son's teeth everyday, and have always done
so. I have also used floride as prescribed by several dentists we have
tried. In spite of this, my son's teeth erode. I feel this is caused
by several
factors: he eats slowly and constantly, he is on an anti-drooling
medication, and several members of his father's family have "soft"
teeth, making me wonder how much of it is heredity. He also has a
perpetually open mouth, which doesn't help him orthodontically. While I
realize that, I find it hard to believe that nothing can be done for his
bite, even if it means a permanent retainer. We put braces on his legs
every day, why not his teeth?
I fear that my son will also have "The Look" all his life. I am bound
and determined to find someone to help us, if I have to go across the
country. If anyone has any resources for me, I'd greatly appreciate
them!
Dani
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Visit the ACOLUG home page at:
http://www.temple.edu/inst_disabilities/acolug
Please remember that all messages posted to ACOLUG are public, and copies of
them remain on-line as a permanent part of the ACOLUG archives (
http://listserv.temple.edu/archives/acolug.html ).
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