Special Dental Care Made Available For The Handicapped
teethNo one really wants to see the dentist. Some find the experience haunting. Since handicapped people have much greater fear of dental treatment, providing them with dental health care is almost impossible.
How do you make it known to a mentally retarded person that the only way the pain of a toothache can be relieved is through the dentist and his instruments.
How can a dentist make himself available to all his patients when some would need more special attention than others?
A masonic organization started to provide funding for handicapped people to have quality dental treatment. Different kinds of handicapped people from the United States and Canada may have access to the dental facility. None of the handicapped will have to spend their own money. A patient may use public assistance or insurance coverage as a method of payment.
If funds cannot be used because of lack or unavailability, the organization’s foundation shoulders the cost. The expenses paid for by them include transportation to and from the hospital, lodging for the patient and a family member, hospital and medical expenses and the cost of the dental work itself. So far, the cost has ranged from $350 to $550 per patient, not including air fare for those from out of town.
In most cases, the comprehensive dental work is done in a hospital operating room while the patient is under general anesthesia. The patient will be admitted to the hospital a day in advance to allow time for a complete medical and dental evaluation. Previous to the patient’s arrival, the center has received specific information on the patient’s handicapping condition, a detailed record of dental needs, records of previous medical treatment and pertinent medical history.
Family members stay in adjoining rooms just in case the patients need them. On average, patients stay in the hospital for about three and a half days. While 70 per cent of the cases so far have been handled in the hospital, outpatient care is provided where it is feasible. They provide follow up care and additional treatment.
For handicaps who cannot be treated using the traditional method, there is also treatment with the use of general anesthesia. Fast and comfortable treatment comes with the latest dental equipment. The dentist and his assistant will be able to sit while working thanks to the new dental chairs.
Dentists who are patient are needed for handicapped patients. It would be difficult if you cannot put yourself in their level. Understanding the patient, his environment, and society’s perception of handicapped people is something necessary. The college of dentistry at the local university operates alongside with the program in helping handicaps. This will give future dentists a better understanding of how to treat handicapped patients.
As part of the service, the sponsoring organization will keep a record of the dentists who receive this special training and where they enter private practice so that local handicapped patients can be directed to their care. A patient may be referred for sponsorship when his or her request for dental care is received by the center. So far, we’ve been in good relations with the patients’ families. They’re ecstatic because they finally have a facility that provides the care.
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