A large number of dentists don’t want to treat adults with
physical/mental challenges. Experts
state this has become a “national crisis.”
The reasons adults aren’t getting care are because of money and
education.
Medicaid has very low compensation rates for dentists. Some states don’t offer Medicaid coverage for
dental health. These factors are causing
dentists to turn away people with physical/mental challenges.
"It's the
biggest health care problem in the country today," said Dr. Steven
Perlman, professor of pediatric dentistry at Boston University School of Dental
Medicine. "People with intellectual disabilities are the most medically
underserved population we have, and dental care is by far the most unmet
need."
Dentists can also be unsure as how to treat someone with a
physical/mental challenge. Training in
regards to how to assist someone with a mental challenge isn’t offered in
dental school. If a problem like a
toothache isn’t fixed properly, it can lead to serious discomfort for a person
with a physical/mental challenge.
Dental concerns: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Dental/calif-clinic-brings-free-dental-care-developmentally-disabled/story?id=15347032#.Tx7oaYHghDj
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