Dentistry for Individuals with Special Needs

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Pulse of the Region, brought to you by
the Metro Hertford Alliance. The Metro Hertford Alliance collaborates with
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(00:23):
Hill was originally founded as a school for the blind
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and thirty years. With empowerment and independence as its guiding principles.
Oakhill works in partnership with the individuals it serves to
provide residential education and enrichment opportunities. Learn more at OAKHILLCT

(00:48):
dot org. Now here's your host for Pulse of the Region,
Kate Bawman.

Speaker 2 (00:53):
Hello, and welcome to Pulse of the Region, the show
where we get to highlight every week some of the
incredible partnership and things happening here throughout our business community
in the Greater Hartford Region. I'm your host, Kate Alman,
and today we are getting the pulse about dental programs
for individuals with special healthcare needs. Additionally, we're going to

(01:14):
be highlighting a local partnership between Delta Dental and Special
Olympics Connecticut. A lot of great topics today, important topics
really for all many individuals and families throughout the state
of Connecticut. So thrilled to have our guests join us today.
First from Delta Dental, he is their senior program manager,
we welcome Richard Young to the show. So Richard, welcome

(01:36):
to Pulse of the Region. Thank you, of course, of course.
And next, our two guests are from Special Olympics Connecticut.
First is Caitlin Dakis. She is their director of Health
and Wellness. So Caitlin, welcome to the show.

Speaker 3 (01:51):
Thanks for having me, certainly.

Speaker 2 (01:54):
And next, as we have a Special Olympics athlete, we
have Sharon Rivera joining us today. Sharon, welcome to the
show today.

Speaker 4 (02:03):
Welcome, thank you, of course, of course.

Speaker 2 (02:06):
And last, but certainly not least, our fourth guest of
the show today. She is with Sypes Pediatric Dentist Dentistry.
It is doctor Monica Sipe, So doctor Sipes, thank you.
For being here as well.

Speaker 5 (02:17):
Thank you for having me of course.

Speaker 2 (02:19):
Of course, so we always like to do some quick
introductions and sometimes reintroductions here on Pulse of the Region.
So first things first, Richard, if you don't mind, we're
going to put you on the hot seat first, and
if you could give listeners a little reminder about Delta Dental.

Speaker 6 (02:36):
Sure, I'll be glad to Kate.

Speaker 5 (02:38):
Thank you. So.

Speaker 6 (02:39):
Delta Dental is the nation's leading provider of dental insurance.
Our core purpose is the advancement of oral health of
our customers, partners and consumers through dental insurance and the
philanthropic efforts of the Delta Dental companies our network are
excuse me. Our nationwide network of thirty nine independent companies

(03:02):
are committed to continually advancing diversity, equity and inclusion and
addressing the needs of diverse communities through holistic efforts.

Speaker 2 (03:12):
Fantastic and Richard, a lot of very unique programs at
Delta Dental, and one really want to touch on today
is your Enhanced Special Healthcare Needs Benefit program. If you
could give a high level overview about what this program entails,
that would be great.

Speaker 6 (03:28):
Yeah, sure, we'll do so. Delta Dental launch that Special
health Care Needs Benefit this year, effective January first. The
benefit expands coverage for our group members for those with
special needs who get their insurance through their employer. The
leading unmet healthcare need for the millions of US children

(03:48):
and adults with special needs is adequate dental care. With
this benefit, additional dental examinations and your consultations can be
beneficial treatment to help patients learn what to expect and
what is needed for successful dental appointment. A couple of
specifics within the benefit is you can get up to

(04:13):
four total dental cleanings in a benefit year. Okay, Also
the treatment and one other thing, Kate is treatment delivery modifications,
which includes anesthesia necessary for dental staff to provide oral
healthcare for patients with sensory sensitivities, behavioral challenges, severe anxiety,

(04:33):
or other barriers to treatment.

Speaker 2 (04:36):
Very nice, and we're definitely going to talk about a
lot of those opportunities for individuals later on the show here.
And in addition, though, is you know you've also formed
some partnerships here to make sure that really to help
spread the awareness about what is available. And one of
those partners is Special Olympics Connecticut and We're thrilled to
have them here today. So Caitlin, first things first, I'm

(04:57):
sure will be a reminder for member any listeners, but
if you could tell people about Special Olympics Connecticut, of course, Kate.

Speaker 3 (05:05):
The Special Olympics Connecticut provides sports training and competition in
a variety of Olympic type sports for people with and
without intellectual disabilities. Here in Connecticut, we serve approximately sixty
five hundred athletes from age eight all the way to
eighty three years old. We hold for state competitions along

(05:26):
with invitationals and qualifying events between those state competition and
twenty seven different sports throughout the year. And in addition
to sports training and competition, we provide a variety of
health and fitness opportunities for athletes to play to be
their best on and off the field.

Speaker 2 (05:44):
Fantastic and again we'll dive more into that, but Sharon,
I want to hear from you because you are a
Special Olympics athlete, and if you could tell us a
little bit about how long you've been competing and participating
with Special Olympics.

Speaker 4 (05:57):
Well, I've been competing in Special Olympics is nineteen ninety eight. Nice,
I do I do all your round sports. I do
basketball in the wintertime, I do track and field in
the summer. I just finished softball in the summertime and
just started getting into powerlifting.

Speaker 2 (06:18):
Oh, this is exciting. How's that going so far?

Speaker 4 (06:23):
We just had one practice we did last week, so
bunch pressed bob sixty five pounds so far. But hopefully
get a little higher as we go every week.

Speaker 2 (06:35):
Okay, Oh I like it. Okay, We're gonna have to
touch base with you, Sharon in a couple of months
and see where you're at. Okay, perfect, awesome, And you know,
kind of going back to my comment earlier about partnerships
is Delta Dental also as many partnerships with local dentist
office and you know, doctor Sipes. If you would love
if you could talk a little bit about Sype's Pediatric Dentistry.

Speaker 5 (07:00):
Pediatric Dentistry is a private dental practice located in West Hartford, Connecticut.
We've been in the practice was established in nineteen eighty four.
We have three pediatric dentists, myself, Elizabeth Chisholm, who happens
to be my daughter, and Amy Beauvet who's also a

(07:24):
pediatric dentist. We have seventeen employees, all of whom love
children and have a lot of experience treating children with
special health care needs. So we're very excited about the
benefit that Delta is.

Speaker 2 (07:42):
Proposing, definitely, and Richard really would like to talk more
about that. But first things first. You know, really the
special needs dentistry program isn't something you've just been involved
with kind of through working for Delta Dental, but it's
also something you know, kind of hitting your family and
loved ones kind of personally as one of your children
is you know, has special needs. So certainly would love

(08:05):
if you could talk a little bit more on just
why a program like this is so beneficial, not only
from what your cs for Delta Dental, but also what
you're seeing to just personally.

Speaker 6 (08:17):
Yeah. Great, agreed. So, yeah, my wife and I are
proud parents of an adult child with special needs, who,
by the way, is a special Olympics New Jersey athlete's bowling, yeah, bowling,
track and field, and they're just starting a pickle ball
so he's really enjoying those sports.

Speaker 2 (08:35):
Nice.

Speaker 6 (08:36):
Yeah, So, anyway, he was diagnosed on the autism spectrum
at age four and is now in his mid twenties.
We've struggled over the years with effective brushing of his teeth.
So he's been getting four dental cleanings per year for
quite a while, with two cleanings being covered each year

(08:56):
for us awareness to what's important I wanted to make sure,
I stress is the awareness and getting that awareness out
there for all parents and enter guardians. Through the years,
it's always been important for my wife and I to
network into different parent groups to help us stay aware
of the various support systems that are available. And back

(09:20):
if I go back to twenty some years, starting off
on as a new parents with a childhood special needs,
you start off on the lower end of the learning
curve and there's a mountain. You know, there's just a
mountain of knowledge to interpret and make actionable for your child.
So a great example is this. It's a vital role
the dental community plays in understanding the special health care

(09:45):
needs benefit and helping provide awareness for parents and guardians.
To me, it's very key in helping to sustain in
individual's health.

Speaker 2 (09:56):
Definitely, no, certainly that awareness is so key and valuable
conversation and doctor Pipes would love for you to chime
in on this too. Really from your perspective. You know,
as a doctor providing services, why is it so important
for patients with special health care needs to really have
access to dental care which is truly designed for them.
If you could talk a little bit more about.

Speaker 5 (10:17):
This, I think you raised an important point here. Pediatric dentists,
by virtue of our we have additional training in taking
care of patients with special care needs. However, our specialty
is an age defined specialty, so we take care of infants, children, adolescents,

(10:41):
and patients with special health care needs. But as patients
with special health care needs get older, their medical issues
may evolve and become different than what pediatric dentists usually treat,
as well as their dental needs may be different than

(11:02):
what a typical pediatric practice provides. If you think of us,
we're like the pediatricians of dentistry. So I think it's
really important that a plan is developed where all pediatric

(11:22):
dentists are having the problem of transitioning our patients to
adult dentists. And one of the reasons for that is
that there is a bit of a lack of emphasis
in dental schools and other specialty programs and taking care
of patients with special health care needs.

Speaker 2 (11:42):
Interesting.

Speaker 5 (11:43):
In order for dentists to be comfortable, there's two things
that need to happen. They need to have additional training
so that they feel confident in themselves. Might be medical training,
be hospital privileges, those kinds of things. And then as

(12:04):
they get more experience treating patients with special health care needs,
than that expands access to care. Right if that makes sense?

Speaker 2 (12:17):
Yes, no, definitely does and in such a you know,
kind of a point that many people may not think about.
And you know, certainly I think going back to that
whole awareness piece, education piece, it's you know, really been
fascinating for me to learn, you know, just what Special
Olympics is doing. You always think, you know that the
athletics and you know, kind of on and off the
playing field or the court, but Caitlin, Special Olympics really

(12:39):
does so much more beyond that. And you know, one
thing you're playing a big role in is increasing equitable
access to healthcare for individuals with disabilities, and dental care
being one of those. So can you talk about what
Special Olympics is doing?

Speaker 3 (12:54):
Yeah, of course. So in addition to sports training and competition,
Special Olympics has been providing health screenings and education in
a variety of disciplines, and that includes our dental programs
through our Healthy Athletes program, and we've been providing this
program for over twenty five years. The program was really
designed to offer health screenings, treat teaches, preventative care, and

(13:16):
provide resources in a welcoming environment to participating athletes. Our
dental program, Special Smiles offers free dental screenings, education on
correct brushing as well as lossing techniques. We do customized
mouth guards for any athletes that are participating in contact sports,
and we also do fluoride varnish. So this this program

(13:40):
not only provides athletes with an opportunity to get this
dental screening and some preventative education preventative education, but it
also provides hands on training for dental professionals as well
as students on how to treat people with intellectual disabilities.
By volunteering at our dental screenings out the year, we're

(14:02):
also able to connect athletes to dental homes if a
screening identified further care is needed through this program.

Speaker 2 (14:09):
Okay, wow, that's incredible. I'll talk about such a wonderful opportunity.
And you know, Sharon, if you don't mind would love
if if you could touch a little bit just on
your personal experience, you know, with dental health care.

Speaker 4 (14:23):
Well, I went to one place and I did have
some health problems with my teeth. I was going to
the dentist every three months. They found that I had
ginger bitis and I was losing bone on every two
So I was going to the dentist every month every

(14:43):
three months for a while until I had an accident
and I lost two teeth, got knapped out but to
a softball, oh no. So I ended up having to
go to another program Yukon, Okay, the dental place there,

(15:03):
they were phenomenal there. They they showed me how to
take care of my teeth and then they took care
of the problem. So now I'm wearing what you call
it is partials. Okay, you could take it in and off.
So now they helped me, took care of my teeth

(15:27):
problem there with the tooth broken teeth that I had.

Speaker 2 (15:30):
Nice, very nice, and it definitely seems great. And now
you can go and dap back to field and ground balls,
right all right? I like it. I like it. And Sharon,
I understand you're also been involved with the Special Smiles program.
I don't know if you could talk a little bit
about that experience.

Speaker 4 (15:49):
Oh, it was phenomenal. I got to go in there
and they screened my teeth and they showed me how
to brush brush my teeth properly. They showed me how
to floss properly. Now I can't now I have all
my molars in the back, okay, So to get to
get to those molars, I needed to know how to

(16:11):
floss the proper way. So they showed me there is
a uh floss with the handle in it, and then
I can get back there with the handle and I
could just put the resols on and that teams to
help me out, and they showed me. They even gave
me a moth guard for my contact sportslight for basketball,

(16:33):
you know, things like that. Nice. But it was a
great experience. They showed me how to uh they even
put that fluoride on my teeth. It was great too.
So I recommend to go and check that out.

Speaker 2 (16:50):
That's great. And Sharon, have you found a lot of
other athletes Are you able to take advantage of the opportunities.

Speaker 4 (16:57):
Yeah, so I've seen a lot of athletes it. Do
you have it at every supporting event? That we do
on the major ones, they and the athletes get to
go over there and get their screenings for their teeth.

Speaker 2 (17:12):
That's great. That's great, Sharon, thank you so much for
all that information. And you know, Caitlin, is this something too.
I guess if you looked at the number of athletes
that you have, is how many are really able to
kind of take advantage of these this opportunity and the education.

Speaker 3 (17:27):
Yeah, great question. So we probably see about twenty five
percent of our participating athletes at a state competition when
we're offering these screenings.

Speaker 2 (17:37):
Okay, so we get.

Speaker 4 (17:37):
A good portion.

Speaker 3 (17:38):
We're still trying to reach additional athletes as well and
open up the opportunity to other athletes that we may
not see, so we can we're able to address issues
or connect them to community programs for dental care as well.
So we're you know, through our partnerships, we're able to
kind of increase our our reach as well.

Speaker 6 (18:00):
As our growth.

Speaker 2 (18:01):
That's great. And can you talk a little more too,
just for parents and families who may be interested in
getting you know, their loved ones involved in Special Olympics.
Is kind of what does that footprint and involvement look like? Here,
you know, in the state of Connecticut, and kind of
where could people start to get more information?

Speaker 3 (18:18):
Yeah, so what we always recommend starting at our website
at www dot sooct dot org. That's where you're going
to find all the informations on how you can participate,
whether you want to be an athlete, a volunteer, a coach,
or even a healthcare provider volunteering through our Healthy Athletes program.

Speaker 2 (18:38):
Okay, fantastic, and that's our those volunteers through that program.
Is that you know, could you give a little bit
more information if businesses were interested in getting involved.

Speaker 3 (18:49):
Yeah, so Healthy Athletes we provide screenings and multiple disciplines,
so including dental, we have put ietry, audiology, we do
mental and emotional wellbeing, we do vision screening, physical therapy,
and all of these disciplines are overseen by a clinical
director who recruits clinical volunteers with myself. So there's a

(19:11):
variety of opportunities in order to participate in our Healthy
autthbased programs in our health programming.

Speaker 2 (19:17):
Wonderful, that's great to hear. And certainly, you know, again
going back to those partnerships and you know, Richard going
back to Delta Dental and a lot of the programs
that you're offering. You know you mentioned early in the show,
which I really appreciated, is you know, as someone with
a special needs child, it's certainly kind of a mountain
of information to learn. So any advice you could give,

(19:37):
you know, are kind of programs that may be available
with Deltadental and kind of where could families start to
learn more information.

Speaker 6 (19:46):
Be glad to thank you. And one thing I'd like
to say is we're proud that Delta Dental is currently
funding the University of Connecticut Dental School special care dentistry programs.

Speaker 2 (19:58):
Wonderful.

Speaker 6 (20:00):
How about that? Speaking for my wife and me in
the programs that are out there, and so we leaned
a lot early on this is with general, any of
the programs that are after for support, we leaned on
special education staff in some school systems, and then as
we got more engaged, I would be the one who

(20:22):
would attend many of the conferences when they used to
have a lot of conferences, and more of course recently
webinarms that are hosted by a lot of nonprofit organizations.
Some of the examples, and just please keep in mind
I'm actually based in in Jersey, but We do support
Connecticut as Delta Dental, but we have gone through the arc,

(20:43):
the vog Center, which is part of Rutgers University, and
then more specific to our son's needs, organizations such as
POLLAK which is Parents of Autistic Children, Autism New Jersey,
and Autism Speaks. But Google is your friend or a
search browser that searches for information as your friend all

(21:06):
the time to keep up with all the various programs
that are available.

Speaker 2 (21:10):
Definitely, no, it seems like so much, so thank you
so much for that. And you know, do you mind
touching a little bit more? You highlight it a little
but you know, I think it's so important. We're Delta
Dental is really this is a very unique offering that
they're providing, and if you could shed a little light
on just why it's so important for them to kind
of really be a leader within this space, you know,
looking to help individuals with special needs.

Speaker 6 (21:32):
So it really aligns with our mission, which is to
promote oral health and to the greatest number of people
by providing accessible dental benefit programs of the highest quality,
service and value. And it's really this is what really
drew me to begin working for Delta Dental. I've been
here for a long quite a long time, but early

(21:53):
on I could see the great programs that Delta Dental
has the especially then to Special Olympics. It's for all
the right reasons that I really enjoyed working for Delta
Dental and continue.

Speaker 2 (22:07):
To definitely no, it's it's wonderful to interact, you know,
the Metrohartford Alliance and Delta Dental has some wonderful partnerships
in addition to they support a lot of our programs
for the heart Ford Chamber of Commerce and really you
can just tell the difference that the organization is trying
to make for individuals, families and businesses here in our
local communities is truly impactful. So a big thank you

(22:30):
to you, Richard, and also a big thank you to
you know, all of your team members at Delta Dental.
Thank you of course, of course, and you know kind
of looking you know, going again to going back a
little bit on really that gaining access to you know,
dental care and you know, Richard, you've touched a lot
on the education for families and doctor Pipes would love

(22:50):
to have you chime in a little bit further on this,
you know, as you would highlight it too. Sometimes it's
difficult for adults with special health care needs, and really,
you know, how can people can navigate the process of
receiving assistance. And I don't know if you could touch
a little bit more on, you know, just on this
process and you know kind of what families can be
looking for and potentially asking the resources they may have

(23:13):
around them.

Speaker 5 (23:15):
Well, first of all, I'd like to say that I'm
I'm so happy to hear about the programs that I
should know more about the Special Olympics than I do,
but I did not realize that you were at that
Special Olympics was actually matching athletes with practices and finding

(23:39):
a dental home for their their athletes with special needs.
I did know about Delta Dental, some project with the
University at Connecticut, and I've been excited to see that
come to fruition. I think both of those things will

(23:59):
increase access to care for patients with special health care needs.
But one of the goals I think all of us
have is to have access to patients with special health
care needs to the same extent that patients without special

(24:19):
needs have access to care none other words, so that
they could call a dentist in their area, and that
dentist would feel comfortable treating them, that they would have
access whether it be handicapped, wheelchair accessibility, or ability to

(24:43):
translate for the hearing impaired, to provide services of that
nature to be able to navigate some of the complex
medical needs. And the only way really, I think to
achieve that goal is through through training programs, right and
incorporating these things into formal training. So when you con

(25:11):
participates in this program with Dental d Delta Dental and
has the students actually hands on taking care of patients
with special health care needs, the students will feel more
comfortable and they'll become more confident practitioners.

Speaker 2 (25:33):
So doctor Sipes, thank you so much for that. And
you know, now kind of just a little bit of
a look ahead, you know, would love for people listening.
Could you be able to find out more information from
each of you. And one thing too, Caitlin and Sharon
would love to talk a little bit on what's on
the horizon for special Olympics. So not Kaitlin, I'll go
to you first, if you could talk about kind of
any events may not be healthcare related, but any kind

(25:54):
of big events or things happening here in the Connecticut
community that you'd like to highlight, Kaitlin.

Speaker 3 (26:00):
Yeah, great question. I think one of our we're gearing
up for our Unified Sports Holiday Classic in November. That's
the weekend of the twenty third and twenty fourth, I believe,
and that's where our powerlifting, volleyballs, unified basketball, and bowling
programs will compete throughout the weekend. We'll also have a Yeah,

(26:23):
we'll also have a Healthy Athletes component there, so we
will have the Special Smiles program there, and you Confortable
of Dental Medicine actually volunteers at that as well, so
we'll have many of their students there as well as
we'll be doing Strong Minds their mentally emotional well being education.

Speaker 2 (26:39):
Very nice, And what were the dates? What month was
that in?

Speaker 3 (26:41):
Again, that's in November, the twenty third and twenty fourth,
I believe.

Speaker 2 (26:49):
Okay, fantastic that weekend before Thanksgiving. All right, very nice? Perfect?
And Sharon, will you be competing at that event?

Speaker 4 (26:57):
I will all be competing in power uppings.

Speaker 5 (26:59):
OK.

Speaker 2 (27:00):
All right, Well, best of luck to you, you know,
hope that goes well and it sounds like it'll be
a fantastic event. Thank you of course, of course, and Caitlin,
can you remind everyone again where they can go to
get more information about Special Olympics.

Speaker 3 (27:15):
Yes, you can find us at www dot s oct
dot org.

Speaker 2 (27:20):
Fantastic And Richard, thank you so much for your perspective,
not only personally, but also sharing a lot of what
Delta Dental is doing. And if you could share more
information on just where would be best for people to
go get further information about a lot of the programs
that Delta Dental's offering.

Speaker 6 (27:39):
People can visit Delta dentalsct dot com, forward slash special
Needs perfect.

Speaker 2 (27:46):
Thank you so much. And last, but not in the least,
Doctor Snipes, if you could share a little bit where
people can learn more about Sipes Pediatric Dentistry.

Speaker 5 (27:56):
We the best place to go for complete information about
our practice is www dot Sipes Pediatric Dentistry dot com.
That sypes with the C. But I also would like
to add that I agree with Richard that when looking

(28:20):
for a dentist that's comfortable treating patients with special healthcare
needs to take advantage of the networking that's available organizations
like Autism Speaks. Asking your pediatrician or family physician for

(28:41):
a referral. You can also go to the ABPD website,
American Board of Pediatric Dentistry website at ABPD dot org,
or the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website at aa
PB dot org. So you have to do your homework,

(29:05):
but I think hopefully there's been some tips in terms
of finding the right practitioner, the right match for your
for yourself, for your child.

Speaker 2 (29:17):
Certainly really appreciate the information there, doctor SIPs, and thank
you all so much for the conversation today. I know
I personally learned a lot, and I'm sure our listeners
did as well. So thank you so much for what
each of you are doing each day to help kind
of spread the word. And you know, really looking forward
to speaking with you more in the future. So thanks
for being here today.

Speaker 3 (29:36):
Thank you for having for having us, of.

Speaker 2 (29:38):
Course, of course, and for all the information about today's show,
you can visit pulseoftheregion dot com. A big thank you
to our show partner, Oakhill, and of course we always
like to give a big thank you to you for listening.
I'm your host, Kate Allman. Go out and make today
a good day here in Connecticut.