now since none of us is dental professionals, how do we get this letter to
those who need to see it? how about sending a copy to the dental
associations and a few of  the colleges of dentistry?

-----Original Message-----
From: Magenta Raine [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 6:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: An open letter to the dental profession (usa)


The following was written in response to my having had 5 front lower
teeth=20
removed due to gum disease.... If you have a response or a similar story,=20
please email [log in to unmask]

An Open Letter to the Dental profession=E2=80=A6

By

Tamar Raine

It's simply outrageous that dentists don't want to fit disabled people
with=20
dentures. They seem to think it's all right for those of us with cerebral=20
palsy, Autism, and other developmental disabilities to go around with gaps
i=
n=20
our mouths. It might have been an acceptable attitude forty years ago, but
i=
t=20
is no longer acceptable to be stigmatized in this way. Whenever you look
at=20=
a=20
large group of people with developmental disabilities, there are always a=20
large number of people with teeth missing, and crooked remaining teeth.
This=
=20
look has become part of the stereotype people have of us. We have enough=20
prejudice against us, we don't need the added stigma of gaping mouths.=20

Maybe you don't know this, but we do have a social life, and we do have=20
interests in dating and getting married. I know you'd Never Dare tell=20
somebody like my sister or my helpers to go without teeth, so why is it=20
acceptable for me to go without teeth? Also, if I were working, I wouldn't
g=
o=20
without teeth. As it is, I AM looking for a job, all I need is more
strikes=20
against me because I don't have a professional appearance.=20

It might be true that a bridge would pop out on occasion, but it is not
your=
=20
decision to make. It's my mouth, my life, and I am the one to decide
what's=20
going to happen to my mouth. If a bridge doesn't work, then try implants,
fo=
r=20
Pete's sake! If I need to be put under anaethesia for this, then that's
my=20
decision to make, not yours. I'm aware of the risks.=20

When will you people realize that people with disabilities need to look
as=20
good as their "typical able bodied" neighbors? When will you realize that
yo=
u=20
should let the client make decisions for themselves, and discuss these
thing=
s=20
honestly with us? SHAME ON YOU, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!

Shame on you for perpetuating this stigma. And don't tell me that I don't=20
need teeth! I've seen what happens over time with the remaining teeth.
They=20
get crooked and the bite changes for the worse, and the lips loose their=20
muscle tone.  Really, you should do for us, what you'd do for your own
famil=
y.
=20