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| We use these |
I'd like to say it's my thorough care that's done it. But I only brush her teeth once a day and occasionally even less often. Perhaps it’s the state-of-the-art toothbrush I’ve used (over there on the right) ever since the dental hygienist recommended it a few years ago. Or the Modified Atkins Diet (virtually no carbs) which C. is still on for the epilepsy – it’s virtually carb-free.
In any case, today was particularly pleasant because we were in and out of the office after a cleaning and an exam (no x-rays) in a half hour. C. was as cooperative as always – wish she were less so.
The icing on the cake was the low fee charged thanks to government subsidization of the clinic.
I've already written about the restraints – a.k.a. “medical immobilization” – used at this clinic on the patients in order to eliminate the need for general anesthesia. [See my earlier post "A visit to the dentist", February 24, 2013] I was shocked to learn that some disabilities activists oppose them on the grounds that they are a civil rights violation.
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| C. in the dentists' chair today |
I think that's all a load of bunk. Surely, when the only other option is general anesthesia, the choice is a no-brainer.
Until I learned of this clinic’s existence, I never brought C. to the dentist. The only other dental clinic in this city for people with disabilities insists on administering a general. And I wasn’t going to run the risks involved in that. So I just can’t fathom the downside to restraints.
How about you?
1 comment:
I don't know what I think of the restraint system used. Perhaps for some children, the tight, bound feeling is a good one -- sort of like the papoose thing that many autistic persons crave. On the other hand, I can't imagine struggling inside of one of those -- how helpless and awful it must feel. I don't believe there's downside to trying it, though. Bringing my daughter to the dentist is such a nightmare for me and sort of dangerous, to tell you the truth. I have to literally hold her down myself by practically lying on top of her, and she doesn't squirm because she's in pain -- she squirms and bats the hands of the hygienist, she doesn't open her mouth on command -- it's all so difficult. I have never gone the anesthesia route either because of the obvious.
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