A couple weeks ago, a friend sent an email requesting prayer for her adult son who has severe cerebral palsy.
Not because he was sick.
Not because he was having surgery.
But because he was going to the dentist.
Dental Care for Kids with Special Needs Can Be a Big Deal
A trip to the dentist doesn’t make the ten list of fun things to do for most of us, but it’s no big deal. However for people with special needs, it can be a very big deal. In the case of my friend’s son, every trip to the dentist requires general anesthetic for routine teeth cleaning and filling of cavities. Again, no big deal for most of us, but general anesthetic does a number on him. After his most recent dentist visit, his bowels shut down, and he ended up in the hospital overnight until everything got moving again.
Dental Care for Kids with Special Needs Can Be Impossible
Even without physical complications, a trip to the dentist can be almost impossible to many children and adults with special needs. The dentist’s office can over-stimulate those with sensory issues, causing meltdowns. A recent post at DisabilityScoop.com listed other disturbing reasons. The article states, “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.”
Special Needs Dental Care Advocacy
A few organizations are advocating on behalf of dental care for children and adults with special needs. An article at the website for ABC News mentions two such organizations. The first is We Care, a California volunteer group organized after the state dropped dental care for adults on Medicaid. The second is Special Olympics Special Smiles. Considering the special needs population and their dental care requirements, those two organizations can’t possibly provide enough help.
What’s Your Experience with Dental Care for Kids with Special Needs?
Those of you with successful experience in this area could help others by sharing your stories. Does your child with special needs – whether still a minor or an adult – receive adequate dental care? If so, how is it delivered? What organizations or practitioners provide care? How is it funded?
If your child doesn’t receive adequate care, what has been your experience in the past? What obstacles have hindered proper care? What is needed in your area to change this situation. What needs to happen so your child can smile?
Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.
Thank you for the recommendation, Nancy. Dr. Levitas sounds like a wonderful man!
Jolene
Thank you for the recommendation, Nancy. Dr. Levitas sounds like a wonderful man!
Jolene
In the Atlanta area, we see Dr. Teddy Levitas. He is wonderful and sees all my kids. We had problems with other “special” dentists in the area, but can not recommend Dr. Teddy enough. However, he is in his 80s and even he laments on not having someone to train to replace him. Shannon, look him up and give him a call. I know he sees patients from all over the state and he does take Medicaid.
In the Atlanta area, we see Dr. Teddy Levitas. He is wonderful and sees all my kids. We had problems with other “special” dentists in the area, but can not recommend Dr. Teddy enough. However, he is in his 80s and even he laments on not having someone to train to replace him. Shannon, look him up and give him a call. I know he sees patients from all over the state and he does take Medicaid.
Thank you, Kristy!
Jolene
Thank you, Kristy!
Jolene
To those who may live in the Spartanburg, S. C. area, Dr. John Dunbar and his staff do excellent work for all their patients, including those with special needs.
To those who may live in the Spartanburg, S. C. area, Dr. John Dunbar and his staff do excellent work for all their patients, including those with special needs.
Helen,
Thank you so much for the information. Your story may give other families another door to knock on for their children’s dental needs.
Jolene
Helen,
Thank you so much for the information. Your story may give other families another door to knock on for their children’s dental needs.
Jolene
in the Pittsburgh area, we utilize children’s hospital of Pittsburgh. my son too, requires anesthesia for cleanings and we are always admitted for at least 23 hours. right now, he sees the dentist once a month for fluoride treatments. Dr. Martin is who he see’s, and he also has a video on you tube. My son was transitioned out of Children’s because he is 23. We went to Pitt dental school of special needs, and he ended up with aspiration pneumonia, then we were told he could no longer use the special needs dental facility because they were not equipped to deal with such fragile needs…GO FIGURE!! we begged to go back to Childrens and that is where we are. It is both fortunate and not that my adult son still has to be treated in a pediatric facility. However, his safety and health are the most important issue and we do whatever we need to do.
in the Pittsburgh area, we utilize children’s hospital of Pittsburgh. my son too, requires anesthesia for cleanings and we are always admitted for at least 23 hours. right now, he sees the dentist once a month for fluoride treatments. Dr. Martin is who he see’s, and he also has a video on you tube. My son was transitioned out of Children’s because he is 23. We went to Pitt dental school of special needs, and he ended up with aspiration pneumonia, then we were told he could no longer use the special needs dental facility because they were not equipped to deal with such fragile needs…GO FIGURE!! we begged to go back to Childrens and that is where we are. It is both fortunate and not that my adult son still has to be treated in a pediatric facility. However, his safety and health are the most important issue and we do whatever we need to do.
Hi Jessica,
Yes, I hear what you’re saying. The problem is that in rural areas the population isn’t big enough to support a specialist practice. I wonder if it’s something that could be handled with visiting specialists. It might be worth checking into at your nearest hospital. Maybe you could start a movement. Any other suggestions out there?
Jolene
Hi Jessica,
Yes, I hear what you’re saying. The problem is that in rural areas the population isn’t big enough to support a specialist practice. I wonder if it’s something that could be handled with visiting specialists. It might be worth checking into at your nearest hospital. Maybe you could start a movement. Any other suggestions out there?
Jolene
Dear Shannon,
First of all, congratulations to your son for his success thus far in college. With all the medical issues he’s dealing with, maintaining a GPA like that is stellar! I wish I had oodles of advice to relieve your family’s stress. To live for so long with no relief has to be discouraging. Does anyone out there have advice for Shannon? Have you ever looked into the Shriners’ Hospitals, Shannon. Your son’s disorder may not be one they treat, but it’s worth a shot.
Jolene
Dear Shannon,
First of all, congratulations to your son for his success thus far in college. With all the medical issues he’s dealing with, maintaining a GPA like that is stellar! I wish I had oodles of advice to relieve your family’s stress. To live for so long with no relief has to be discouraging. Does anyone out there have advice for Shannon? Have you ever looked into the Shriners’ Hospitals, Shannon. Your son’s disorder may not be one they treat, but it’s worth a shot.
Jolene
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your dental success story. Do you know where the dental staff received their training? That would be interesting to know so other families could look for dentist trained at the same school.
Jolene
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your dental success story. Do you know where the dental staff received their training? That would be interesting to know so other families could look for dentist trained at the same school.
Jolene
Hi Jason,
So sorry to hear about Madelyn’s dental situation. It’s hard on her, but it must be hard on you to be unable to fix the situation for your daughter. Anybody out there have advise for Jason and his family?
Jolene
Hi Jason,
So sorry to hear about Madelyn’s dental situation. It’s hard on her, but it must be hard on you to be unable to fix the situation for your daughter. Anybody out there have advise for Jason and his family?
Jolene
Finding a dentist that takes medicaid is a HUGE challenge. Most dentists that work with special needs are full (of medicaid patients). Traveling 90+ minutes away from home is not an option for a lot of families. We are broke enough just taking care of our kids.
Finding a dentist that takes medicaid is a HUGE challenge. Most dentists that work with special needs are full (of medicaid patients). Traveling 90+ minutes away from home is not an option for a lot of families. We are broke enough just taking care of our kids.
As the mother of two children with special needs who are older, my now 20 year old will lose all coverage (what little he is getting through CMS in our state of GA) on May 14 when he turns 21. He needs his wisdom teeth removed. Its not covered. He was born with a rare disorder called Prune Belly Syndrome. He has undergone multiple surgeries and has a host of medical issues. He only has 50% kidney function and will need a heart valve replacement in the future. However right now he is in his 3rd year of college and holding a 3.33 GPA ! Our goal was to get him through school and into the work force so he would have insurance. We have blown through 3 major medical policies between he, and his brother who is now 27 who had a traumatic brain injury at the age of 12. It never ends. My 20 year old is now having major headaches and of course, no insurance. We have spent the last 21 years working our butts off, hubby working 3 jobs, me working also, and we still are struggling today. This never ends and I honestly am at my wits end. Of course as a mom I’ve put my own health and dental care on the back burner and couldn’t tell you the last time I’ve seen a dentist just can’t afford it. Its really sad.
As the mother of two children with special needs who are older, my now 20 year old will lose all coverage (what little he is getting through CMS in our state of GA) on May 14 when he turns 21. He needs his wisdom teeth removed. Its not covered. He was born with a rare disorder called Prune Belly Syndrome. He has undergone multiple surgeries and has a host of medical issues. He only has 50% kidney function and will need a heart valve replacement in the future. However right now he is in his 3rd year of college and holding a 3.33 GPA ! Our goal was to get him through school and into the work force so he would have insurance. We have blown through 3 major medical policies between he, and his brother who is now 27 who had a traumatic brain injury at the age of 12. It never ends. My 20 year old is now having major headaches and of course, no insurance. We have spent the last 21 years working our butts off, hubby working 3 jobs, me working also, and we still are struggling today. This never ends and I honestly am at my wits end. Of course as a mom I’ve put my own health and dental care on the back burner and couldn’t tell you the last time I’ve seen a dentist just can’t afford it. Its really sad.
We are lucky enough to have a pediatric/special needs dentist in the area, called “Dentistry for Special People.” My daughter has a hard time sitting still when we try to brush her teeth. She has lots of issues, one of them being sensory issues, so we were very grateful when this dentist & dental assistants handled her so well. Did not force anything on her, let her hold and touch things before they used them on her, and even gave her sunglasses! We are so lucky to have them, it’s a shame that there aren’t more places like them.
We are lucky enough to have a pediatric/special needs dentist in the area, called “Dentistry for Special People.” My daughter has a hard time sitting still when we try to brush her teeth. She has lots of issues, one of them being sensory issues, so we were very grateful when this dentist & dental assistants handled her so well. Did not force anything on her, let her hold and touch things before they used them on her, and even gave her sunglasses! We are so lucky to have them, it’s a shame that there aren’t more places like them.
My child Madelyn is only 2 1/2 and dental care has been almost impossible…her nurses do oral care every time they feed her but her teeth are just turning black and crumbling almost as soon as they break through. Because of her CNS issues, general anesthesia is not an option, so we had to come up with an gas/pill alternative. (hope it works) Next month the dentists are just going to extract all of her teeth. Poor girl is in so much pain. She is a mouth breether and she doesnt “chew” dry teeth and gums are a problem. These are only her baby teeth, I hope we can find a solution for her regular teeth when they finally come though in a few years. If not, then we will most likely have the same prblem and have those extracted as well 🙁
My child Madelyn is only 2 1/2 and dental care has been almost impossible…her nurses do oral care every time they feed her but her teeth are just turning black and crumbling almost as soon as they break through. Because of her CNS issues, general anesthesia is not an option, so we had to come up with an gas/pill alternative. (hope it works) Next month the dentists are just going to extract all of her teeth. Poor girl is in so much pain. She is a mouth breether and she doesnt “chew” dry teeth and gums are a problem. These are only her baby teeth, I hope we can find a solution for her regular teeth when they finally come though in a few years. If not, then we will most likely have the same prblem and have those extracted as well 🙁
Hi Rosella, I will pray for your sons next appointment to go smoothly:)
Hi Rosella, I will pray for your sons next appointment to go smoothly:)
If you are in the bay area in california try Dr. Fazilat (650) 567-9000 in Mountain View. He works with kids with special needs and his staff was really great! My daughter has CP and SPD, they were really patient and proficient.
http://m.yelp.com/biz/growing-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-mountain-view
If you are in the bay area in california try Dr. Fazilat (650) 567-9000 in Mountain View. He works with kids with special needs and his staff was really great! My daughter has CP and SPD, they were really patient and proficient.
http://m.yelp.com/biz/growing-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-mountain-view
Oh, Rosella,
I’m so sorry to hear what Kyle’s dental care involves. Apparently this is a huge issue the special needs community and dental health care practitioners have yet to address adequately. I’m praying for Kyle’s next appointment.
Jolene
Oh, Rosella,
I’m so sorry to hear what Kyle’s dental care involves. Apparently this is a huge issue the special needs community and dental health care practitioners have yet to address adequately. I’m praying for Kyle’s next appointment.
Jolene
Dental care has been the hardest medical type experience we’ve had to go through. We ended up doing dental care in the hospital under sedation. It was a terrible experience and the hospital staff were not very helpful and were out and out rude. It was like it was the first time they had seen a kid scared to have a procedure performed. Kyle fought like crazy and it took 4 of us to get him in the room. They put the mask on him as we were carrying him and fighting us. Crazy. I was sobbing by the time we got him on the table.. Next month he needs a filling and now he’s 16, 5′ 10″‘ and 200 lbs. talk about somebody who needs prayer.
Rosella
Dental care has been the hardest medical type experience we’ve had to go through. We ended up doing dental care in the hospital under sedation. It was a terrible experience and the hospital staff were not very helpful and were out and out rude. It was like it was the first time they had seen a kid scared to have a procedure performed. Kyle fought like crazy and it took 4 of us to get him in the room. They put the mask on him as we were carrying him and fighting us. Crazy. I was sobbing by the time we got him on the table.. Next month he needs a filling and now he’s 16, 5′ 10″‘ and 200 lbs. talk about somebody who needs prayer.
Rosella