PATIENT STORIES
Finally getting the help she needs! Assisting ventilator-dependent patients poses a unique challenge for our dentists. Mabel was having increasing difficulty in communicating with staff and visitors. She had multiple medical conditions, was often physically ill and was at times barely conscious. Since she was at times capable of taking food orally, it was very important that she have workable dentures to eat and to combat the potential risk of nutritional deficiencies caused by her ventilator-dependent condition. She was desperately in need of dentures, and no dentist was capable of working with her to create them.
Our Dental Director, Dr. Malik, was able to establish a relationship with Mabel, and she came up with a special plan to get the dentures made. After receiving her new dentures, Mabel savored Christmas dinner in the company of her friends. She was ecstatic: “It was the best Christmas present I could have asked for!” Mabel reported to us that she was much more comfortable around others, and that her dentures have increased her quality of life.
Helping a man who was unable to ask When DHS went to a home in St. Paul, they met Frank, who was suffering from a neurological disease that severely impaired his ability to communicate with facility staff. The staff had noted that he had recently appeared uncomfortable and agitated, and they were unsure why his demeanor had changed so drastically.
Frank came for his routine dental appointment, and the dentist used special strategies to communicate with Frank. The dentist found that he had an abscessed tooth which was causing severe pain. His level of pain would have made anyone uncomfortable and agitated! The dentist took the appropriate measures to extract the tooth and created a follow-up plan to ensure the Frank was comfortable. After the procedure was over and healing was complete, Frank went back to the game room and beat the other residents at pinochle!
Connecting to provide neccesary care While dealing with an array of medical considerations is an everyday occurrence for our dentists, sometimes the most difficult circumstance is the patient's fear of being in the dental chair. Where other providers would resort to sedation in these cases, DHS dentists strive to make a connection with their patients, easing them through the procedure by gaining their trust and comforting them throughout.
When our team visited Benjamin, he was suffering from dementia, seemed anxious in the treatment room and would not open his mouth. After talking to him for awhile, one of our doctors realized that Benjamin was a huge fan of the Minnesota Twins, and especially fond of Harmon Killebrew. After the dentist mentioned Killebrew's league record of 47 home runs in '62, Benjamin immediately shot back, “48!” An hour later, Benjamin was on his way back to his room — minus one impacted bicuspid. His son even called later that week to offer his appreciation and express his amazement that the DHS dentist was able to successfully provide dental care to his father.
Accommodating Two days before Doorstep Healthcare Services was scheduled to make a visit to a long-term care home in St. Paul, Jessica awoke to a sharp pain in the back of her lower jaw. After receiving a call from the facility staff, DHS was able to schedule a timely appointment for Jessica.
Jessica was suffering from a serious cavity. The DHS team was able to treated her condition the day of their visit and make Jessica well once more. After her exam, Jessica was able to go about her daily routine with diminished pain and enjoy the company of her friends again.
Our Dental Director, Dr. Malik, was able to establish a relationship with Mabel, and she came up with a special plan to get the dentures made. After receiving her new dentures, Mabel savored Christmas dinner in the company of her friends. She was ecstatic: “It was the best Christmas present I could have asked for!” Mabel reported to us that she was much more comfortable around others, and that her dentures have increased her quality of life.
Helping a man who was unable to ask When DHS went to a home in St. Paul, they met Frank, who was suffering from a neurological disease that severely impaired his ability to communicate with facility staff. The staff had noted that he had recently appeared uncomfortable and agitated, and they were unsure why his demeanor had changed so drastically.
Frank came for his routine dental appointment, and the dentist used special strategies to communicate with Frank. The dentist found that he had an abscessed tooth which was causing severe pain. His level of pain would have made anyone uncomfortable and agitated! The dentist took the appropriate measures to extract the tooth and created a follow-up plan to ensure the Frank was comfortable. After the procedure was over and healing was complete, Frank went back to the game room and beat the other residents at pinochle!
Connecting to provide neccesary care While dealing with an array of medical considerations is an everyday occurrence for our dentists, sometimes the most difficult circumstance is the patient's fear of being in the dental chair. Where other providers would resort to sedation in these cases, DHS dentists strive to make a connection with their patients, easing them through the procedure by gaining their trust and comforting them throughout.
When our team visited Benjamin, he was suffering from dementia, seemed anxious in the treatment room and would not open his mouth. After talking to him for awhile, one of our doctors realized that Benjamin was a huge fan of the Minnesota Twins, and especially fond of Harmon Killebrew. After the dentist mentioned Killebrew's league record of 47 home runs in '62, Benjamin immediately shot back, “48!” An hour later, Benjamin was on his way back to his room — minus one impacted bicuspid. His son even called later that week to offer his appreciation and express his amazement that the DHS dentist was able to successfully provide dental care to his father.
Accommodating Two days before Doorstep Healthcare Services was scheduled to make a visit to a long-term care home in St. Paul, Jessica awoke to a sharp pain in the back of her lower jaw. After receiving a call from the facility staff, DHS was able to schedule a timely appointment for Jessica.
Jessica was suffering from a serious cavity. The DHS team was able to treated her condition the day of their visit and make Jessica well once more. After her exam, Jessica was able to go about her daily routine with diminished pain and enjoy the company of her friends again.