Across the country, patients with special needs and their families struggle to find dental care, as many dentists do not have the training to treat patients with autism and other conditions, according to The Washington Post.
One patient, Ava Terranove, 15, who has an autism-like condition, needed two root canal procedures to treat infected teeth, reports the Post. Because of her age, Ava requires anesthesia for the nonroutine dental procedure. However, Ava's dentist was unequipped to provide Ava's care.
Ava's parents called nearby dentists but were turned down dozens of times. When her family finally found a dentist willing to work with an anesthesiologist, it came with a hitch: Ava's family would need to pay $2,400 out of pocket.
This story is not unique to patients with autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disorders, the Post reports. Dentists can sometimes avoid patients with special needs because they lack the skills needed, leaving some patients unable to undergo preventative care services, like cleanings and exams.
Mike Loughran, 54, has a 14-year-old son with Down syndrome. A dentist and Mr. Loughran decided that for all dental work, his son would receive general anesthesia. This decision comes with a big price tag, as a 45-minute exam costs upwards of $1,155. Being that the patient was at a hospital, Mr. Loughran was also charged $21,000 for the operating suite.
"The whole idea of it costing that much to get a dental exam, and you're supposed to do that a couple times a year — it was just stunning when I got the bill," Mr. Loughran told the Post. "I don't think I would take him to the operating room anymore."
There are some states that are working to address the gaps in care among patients with special needs. In New Mexico, dentists who have completed special training can bill Medicaid an extra $90 fee each time they train a patient with developmental disabilities, the Post reports.
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One patient, Ava Terranove, 15, who has an autism-like condition, needed two root canal procedures to treat infected teeth, reports the Post. Because of her age, Ava requires anesthesia for the nonroutine dental procedure. However, Ava's dentist was unequipped to provide Ava's care.
Ava's parents called nearby dentists but were turned down dozens of times. When her family finally found a dentist willing to work with an anesthesiologist, it came with a hitch: Ava's family would need to pay $2,400 out of pocket.
This story is not unique to patients with autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disorders, the Post reports. Dentists can sometimes avoid patients with special needs because they lack the skills needed, leaving some patients unable to undergo preventative care services, like cleanings and exams.
Mike Loughran, 54, has a 14-year-old son with Down syndrome. A dentist and Mr. Loughran decided that for all dental work, his son would receive general anesthesia. This decision comes with a big price tag, as a 45-minute exam costs upwards of $1,155. Being that the patient was at a hospital, Mr. Loughran was also charged $21,000 for the operating suite.
"The whole idea of it costing that much to get a dental exam, and you're supposed to do that a couple times a year — it was just stunning when I got the bill," Mr. Loughran told the Post. "I don't think I would take him to the operating room anymore."
There are some states that are working to address the gaps in care among patients with special needs. In New Mexico, dentists who have completed special training can bill Medicaid an extra $90 fee each time they train a patient with developmental disabilities, the Post reports.
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Court throws out 7 of SmileDirectClub's counts against Alabama dental board
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34% of patients delay, skip out on payments for dental expenses