27
Volume2 Issue1
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I
ssues and
P
eople
CDA:
Your report focuses onprovincial obligations toward adultswithDDs, including the
needtosecuresufficient fundingtocoverthecostofdental treatmentsandtocreatespecial
needs clinics for timely access to operating rooms (ORs). Were provincial governments
receptive to the recommendationsmade inyour report?
JoanRush:
Whilemyreport focusesontheobligationsof theBritishColumbia (BC)government,
theproblemexistsacrossCanada.
The provincial government did not directly respond tomy recommendations. However, extra
ORhours havebeen authorized to reduce the 2- to 3-year waiting lists for dental treatment in
hospitals. In addition, thegovernment initiated an audit of services to adultswithDDs, and the
Representative forChildrenandYouthagreed to review theproblem. Ihope these investigations
spur thecreationof lastingmeasures toensure timelyaccess todental treatment.
The BC dental plan typically runs a surplus at year-end, which is diverted to other uses within
theministry. Thecoexistenceof a surplus and longwait times for treatmenthighlightsboth the
barriers to treatmentand theconstraintsonaccessingcoverage. That iswhy I hopegovernment
revises theplan tomake itmore accessible, in addition to increasing coverage to recognize the
complexityand time involved in treatingpatientswithDDs.
At the federal level, I believeanational oral health strategy for adultswithDDs shouldbepartof
thepublicdental healthprogram.
Do you think dentists receive enough training at the undergraduate level to treat
patientswithDDs?
Absolutely not. I learned frommy research that dental students typically receive no clinical
trainingon treatingpatientswith special needsat theundergraduate level. TheCommissionon
DentalAccreditationofCanadadoesnot includeamandatoryaccreditation requirement thatall
studentsmust bequalified toprovide care for adult patientswith special needs. In fact, it ismy
understanding that even the pediatric programs only offer an elective on treating this patient
group. (
Ed. Note: All graduate-level pediatric program residentsmust provide care for special needs
children.
)
JoanRush
Autism,Down syndrome, cerebral palsy,mental retardationand fetal alcohol syndromeareall forms of developmental
disabilities (DDs). IndividualswithDDs represent between1%and3%of theCanadianpopulation
1
and require
special carefrom skilledprofessionals toachieveandmaintainoral health.
A retired lawyer specializing inhealth concerns, JoanRushdecided in2013 to focusher efforts on lobbying for improved
dental services foradultswithDDs.The cause is close toherheart: her28-year-old sonGraemewasdiagnosedwith
autismat theage of3. In2013,Ms.Rushpublisheda report titled
CDAasked forherperspective on theaccess todental care challenges facingadultswithDDs.
