Last post Thu, Aug 28 2008 11:35 PM by DSB. 15 replies.
For those who have difficulty walking:Do you have trouble with the dental chair?Because of the extreme small size and crowded condition of the cleaning room at my dentist's office, my wheelchair simply will not fit.So, whenever I go to the dentist, I have to use my quad cane and walk in, maneuvering around the numerous pieces of equipment in the room.It's not exactly easy. Once in the chair, I have to be leaned aalll the way back, which I find extremely uncomfortable. My left leg is my affected one, and for some reason I'm more comfortable if I take my right leg off the chair and let it dangle.
The trouble with this is, the hygienist who's working on my teeth, as well as any other office staff members who happen to wander into the room, insist on lifting my right leg back up onto the chair. That is totally unnecessary, because 1) I have full control over my right leg, and it does not need lifting, and 2) I'm more comfortable with it dangling. Ah, well.I should be grateful that I have a good dentist nearby, and that my teeth don't need major work.
Does anyone else have difficulties with The Chair?
Carla N.
Oh, the dental chair! The State of Florida commissioned a study which found that the disability population as a whole was underserved by a huge margin because of the reasons you mentioned, the fact that many dentists were uncomfortable with disabled people and their training did not include any disability issues, and disabled people have, in some cases, particularized dental needs. Interestingly, dental hygenisists felt the most comfortable treating disabled people.
[In my case, my illness, scleroderma-diffuse, has caused "dry mouth" and acid reflux, and after 20 plus years I am losing my teeth. People with this illness usually cannot have dentures or implants, so I am looking at a complete oral reconstruction with a treatment plan of $25-30,000 and have been unable to find funding so far.]
It is very important to advocate for your needs, be they comfort in the chair, or attention to your dentifrice. I am in extreme pain, and when that chair goes back, my back screams. I have also found dentists and their assistants who actually lean their bodies on mine to work. I try to make my needs known, but unfortunately they are not always understood and I have had some bad experiences. Also, as folks with Raynauds Syndrome and some other illnesses know, cold is a terrible experience, bringing on more pain, and the dental office is always cold due to both the machines and the fact that the workers get so warm behind their masks. I always bring a blanket now, lumbar cushion, cervical pillow, and tell anyone if they are doing something to my body that I will not accept.
Good luck. This is one area where much more awareness work needs to be done.
bonniethesurvivor: I am in extreme pain, and when that chair goes back, my back screams.
I am in extreme pain, and when that chair goes back, my back screams.
Ow! That's a problem that I'm fortunate enough to not have. When the chair goes back, I don't feel pain, just a disconcerting feeling that I'm going to go sliding off head-first onto the floor. That is not a real danger, and once I get my bearings I'm okay.
I generally only have to go in every six months for a routine cleaning, and since the office staff and I have gotten more used to each other, things usually go pretty smoothly.
I am a 56 year old stroke survivor and I am also looking for a grant to have my mouth re-constructed. If anyone can help me please email me @ brucecrossen@yahoo.com thanks
My dentist was the kind that that worked with the chair only slightly reclined - his son, who took over his patients when he retired tilts the chair back so far, that change falls out of my pocket and my feet are literally higher than my head. I haven't been since my stroke - defintely speak up. It's not all about his comfort angle but yours. His profession is to provide a service and he should be reminded politely, especially when it's uncomfortable to you. ADA provides that his office or building requires wheelchair accesses. If it doesn't there are plenty of DDS's who do. Check it out - your dentist's office staff should also know your chair requirements,needs, widths and access. Shop around if they the even they seem slightly less then willing to help - any hesitation, start asking friends or walk through the yellow pages.
My dentist is a nice guy and his office is fairly accessible, even for my powerchair. However, I DO find that treatment drags on-and-on because of my physical maladies. Does anyone experience this same scenario? =>
The dentist wants this or that specialist to also examine me and my teeth + he wants my surgeon and med internist to be proactive in my care plan. Plus, he's sending me to yet a another specialist to evaluate my teeth for diabetic concerns and complications before he "moves forward with my care plan". This is turning into quite a pile of doctors.... I can't afford just one, much less a half dozen at a time.
I've spent the past year trying to get a few simple fillings completed! But, with so many doc's onboard developing this 'treatment plan'... not much treatment is actually being done! The dentist meanwhile keeps rotating me around to his hygenist for yet another scaling and sonic cleaning - which hurts around unfilled cavities! Grrrrrrrr...
I feel like disability is giving this dentist cause to fear malpractice lawsuits, etc... and maybe he's just fearful of disabilites period. But the insane amount of medical support he's calling in for assistance is making me wonder if I'll ever have my teeth in order again? Who can afford this??? If dental care means the outcome is more expensive than our budget can stand.... the dentists don't have to worry about beginning any oral reconstruction (even simple fillings), which in turn circumvents any possible liability. And if medical conditions are such that dentists fear liability for filling a tooth, then again... it's probably safer and easier for them to avoid treatment (liability) by stacking up charges for projected completion. Catch 22.
I remember the days when a person could get several fillings done in one day, no worries. Now dentists will only commit to one filling at a time - because of time constraints, or medical concerns. So each tooth addressed is a new office call, hygenist, reconstruction (filling), etc, It gets rediculously expensive FAST. And that's only IF we can get 'em to do any work to begin with.
Even alternative funding sources like Voc Rehab can't afford the insane charges or the dog-'n-pony hoops we have to jump thru to recieve treatment. And, of course... If medicaid or medicare is the only funding available, we're screwed. Go home and find a jug of moonshine and a set of pliers.
Considering you only have so many teeth - do you feel their "treatment plan" is a good thing ? I mean in the long run with all the expense would it worth your while ? Is going to interfere with any current med's your taking ? I too would question the need for so many medical professionals becoming involved. However if the ends justify the means by all means carry on with the "treatment plan". Question everything - just because you're in chair, or even if there are malpractice fears - you have the right to answers ! You don't say weather you have insurance currently or not ? If the end results are going give you pretty smile - then the plan worked and don't bother with other issues. It's all about you and your recovery bottom line, isn't it ? Wouldn't you want the "treatment plan" done right the first time - despite the hoops we're made to jump through ?
Off the topic of dentists....How about eye doctors? I use WalMart optical and found them extremely accomodating in spite of the tiny examining rooms
Joe
I'm sorry you went to Walmart. Does it seems wrong that you didn't get a big, spacious office and room to move about ? It is discount a store - so it goes without saying you got what you paid for - discounted examining areas. I don't know maybe low cost equates to little floor space. Hmmm ? Since I'm not in the Retail world - it's just guess ... nothing personal
Hey....I get my contacts for 1/2 the price of anywhere else!
It took me a while -- many phone calls -- but I found a dentist (LIJ/North Shore University Hospital) that has rooms big enough, and equipment well-placed enough, that I can stay in my mortorized chair.
What also facilitates this is my chair has tilt / recline / elevate / power-legs.
Good luck to all in finding a dental-situation you can live with!
--- Regards, Walt
I am in the process of looking for a new dentist. Now that I am a full-time chair user, my dentist's office is inaccessible. It is in an old building built before ADA and has had no major improvements. Steps are the only way to the second floor and there is no elevator. I just hate to leave my trusted dentistry but simply must. Dave
Olivette Turbeville: I remember the days when a person could get several fillings done in one day, no worries.
I remember the days when a person could get several fillings done in one day, no worries.
I did it, though, and feel a pathetic sense of accomplishment.;)Carla N.
So true even I remember them. It wasn't that long ago either ...
Hi, my name is Matt and I'm a dentist.
I have a picture, for how to do this, and I will try to insert the picture in the message. I will also type it in case the picture doesn't come through. I don't know that a lot of dentists know they can do it this way. A buddy of mine showed it to me, and I thought it was awesome, so thought I would share it with you, and maybe you can show it to your dentist.
(It's just one option, for how to have a comfortable dental visit.)
The text reads:
Step 1. Slide the headrest glide bar up until it is free from the dental chair.
Step 2. Rotate it 180 degrees, and slide it back into the backrest pushing it completely down.
Step 3. Position the dental chair to its full back up position.
Once the headrest is repositioned, adjust the height by moving the dental chair up or down. The patient should be positioned so the wheelchair and the dental chair are back to back.
So, basically, if the dental chair has a removable headrest, the dentist can pop it out, flip it over, and reinsert it. Works like a charm. Sometimes.
(Also, in case the image doesn't come through, the image is from this link, on page 7 of the pdf file:http://www.a-dec.com/docs/ownersguides/english/86060200.pdf )
Anyway, it doesn't always work, but when it does, it helps people who can't lay back all the way, or when the space is too tight to get parallel and transfer, etc.
I hope this helps someone somewhere to have a more comfortable visit at the dentist. :)
-Dr Matt
