A Dream Come True: Donovan Dental Clinic
by Linda Buchalo
This article covers one of the many blessings on the Misericordia campus—the Donovan Dental Clinic. This dream come true is the result of generous donations from Thomas and Vita Donovan and others. With the opening of the clinic in March of 2015, Sr. Rosemary was able to check off another item on her bucket list.
The clinic serves approximately 420 residents and has been a godsend for families who find it difficult to find dental care for their family members. The clinic employs five staff members: two dentists, Dr. Ashley Kauffman and Dr. Daniel Bicknell; two certified dental assistants, Camille Donolko-Sanders and Maggie Farfan, and a licensed and registered dental hygienist, Jena Cahill. Jena also manages the clinic.
For many, going to the dentist is not high on the list of favorite things to do. For caretakers of persons with special needs, taking a family member to the dentist can be even more daunting. The amazing staff at Donovan have turned what is often a stressful or scary situation into a positive experience.
Located on the second floor of the main building, the clinic consists of one large room divided into two separate spaces, each with a dental chair, equipment, sink, and cabinetry. Colorful, fun, and inviting describes the atmosphere. Blue walls with themed decals, bubble wands, netting, and colorful jellyfish hanging from the ceiling set the “under the sea” theme. And the art department painted the light fixtures to reflect the underwater theme, so residents can gaze at these as they receive dental care. The clinic staff abide by two rules: provide quality care and have fun!
In addition to the décor, other features serve to distract during a patient’s visit. Mini iPads in each space allow residents to listen to music, watch a movie, or watch a show of their choice, courtesy of DJ Camille. Staff also read books and use flash cards to engage the residents. The clinic wish list includes larger mounted TVs for each space.
The clinic offers many services, some of which specifically cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities. A dentist is in house on Wednesdays and Fridays. On these days, services include cleanings, deep cleanings, comprehensive and periodic exams, limited exams for emergent matters, digital traditional x-rays, digital panoramic imaging, simple and surgical extractions, amalgam and composite fillings, crowns, bridges, complete and partial dentures, abscess drainage, some biopsies, tissue removal, silver diamine fluoride and curadont placement, sealants, and fluoride treatments.
On other days, the clinic offers two services that target the special needs of Mis residents: desensitization therapy and one-on-one oral hygiene.
The desensitization program includes residents with a history of dental anxiety or poor behavior, who typically require an oral sedative prior to a visit. Participants visit at least quarterly, some monthly or weekly. Desensitization sessions range from 5 to 15 minutes and are tailored to individual needs. The goal is to become familiar with the clinic, build trust with the staff, and lessen anxiety. Initial sessions are all about fun and familiarity. Staff focus on the residents feeling safe with the staff and within the environment. Some residents refuse to come into the clinic, but staff are not deterred. In this case, residents walk by the clinic, wave hello, go into the clinic to get a sticker, and then leave. Initial sessions within the clinic include music, playing games, looking around and touching the equipment. In some cases, the goal is to simply sit in the dental chair for a period of time, gradually extending that time, and allowing a generous amount of time to complete two minutes of brushing time. The hygienist or assistant will explain each step and allow for rest breaks to manage sensory overload, resulting in a more positive experience. The goal is to work toward a dental visit without trepidation and without the need for sedation.
One-on-one oral hygiene sessions provide individualized help with oral care skills, such as brushing and flossing. Many residents struggle with daily oral hygiene. This program covers brushing all areas, including the gumline, and using different flossing aids. Progress is measured by monitoring and scoring plaque levels.
It's worth noting that every new DSP and CNA at Misericordia goes through 1 hour and 45 minutes of dental education and training. These detailed presentations establish a partnership and team work with the dental clinic, thus setting up a continuation of good dental hygiene practices for every resident. Included in these sessions are learning proper brushing and flossing techniques and overcoming difficulties encountered when brushing patients with special needs.
The clinic has received many notes of gratitude from families who are grateful for the superior care their family members have received. And Jena shared the story of an individual who is now able to sit through an exam following a long period of desensitization activities. A small party celebrated the patient and all who contributed to this success story.
As I gathered the material for this article, I increased my appreciation even more for all that the clinic staff do to promote good dental health. In true Misericordia fashion, the staff are patient, kind, and understanding, and accommodate their treatment to meet the individual needs of each resident.
Donovan Dental Clinic, we are so fortunate to have you!
At present, the Dental Clinic has the capacity to offer one yearly comprehensive exam and cleaning to the residents who currently use their services, and therefore, recommends partnering with an outside dental provider for an additional cleaning throughout the year. The desensitization therapy and one-on-one programs have limited openings available; participants are assessed based on highest need. Based on dentist availability, and existing patient caseload, the dental clinic is currently not accepting new patients; however, notification will be sent to families when future access and enrollment opportunities become available.
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