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Volume2 Issue1
I
ssues and
P
eople
Inmyopinion, not ensuring that
undergraduatedentalprograms
require their graduates to
achieve clinical competency
in treating adults that have
special needs constitutes a
form of discrimination against
these members of our society.
Dentists shouldnot turnaway special needspatients,
but somemaydosobecause theydon’t feelqualified
to treat them. I believe that the Canadian Dental
RegulatoryAuthoritiesFederationand the facultiesof
dentistry should approve the creation of a specialty
in special needs dentistry, like theones in theUnited
Kingdom, NewZealandandAustralia, for example.
What advocacy efforts would you like to see
fromtheprofession?
CDA has advocated, along with other health care
associations, for themaintenanceof healthanddental
services for refugees. I believe the profession should
petition just as strongly for better dental plans and
greateraccess to treatment foradultswithDDs—these
peopledeserve thesamehighqualityofdental careas
all Canadians.
CDA could also advocate for enhanced training of
undergraduate students and seek enhanced funding
of faculties from the federal andprovincialministriesof
advancededucation.
What solutions would you propose to help
addressthe issue?
The dental profession could approach the dental
industry and health foundations to help fund special
needs clinics. Further, the profession could approach
the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association
for its member companies to fund costly dental
treatments (similar to the funding assistance for
costly drugs), for assistance enhancing the typically
The cause is close toMs.Rush's heart: her sonGraeme
was diagnosedwithautismat the age of 3.Non-verbal
individualswithDDmay express dental painwith self
abuse, aswas the situationwithGraeme.
At the federal level, I believe anational oral health
strategy for adultswithdevelopmental disabilities
shouldbe part of the public dental healthprogram.
- JoanRush
underfundedprovincial dental plans, or for assistance
creatingasuitablepan-Canadiandentalplan foradults
withDDs.
Finally, I think theprofessioncouldencouragedentists
to offer low-cost and free dental treatment to adults
with DDs as part of individual philanthropy. Another
optionwouldbe to advocate the federal government
so that the value of any unpaid treatment (e.g., the
differential betweengovernment plans andprovincial
fee guides) is tax-deductible for dentists treating
patientswithDDs.
a
Reference
1. SullivanWF, Berg JM, BradleyE, CheethamT,DentonRet all. Primary careof adults
withdevelopmental disabilities: Canadian consensusguidelines [accessed2014Feb
14].Available:www.cfp.ca/content/57/5/541.full.pdf.
This interviewhasbeen condensedandedited.
Theviewsexpressedare thoseof theauthoranddonotnecessarily reflect theopinionsor
official policiesof theCanadianDentalAssociation.
–Photosof Graemeprovidedby JoanRush
