At the Los Angeles Christian Health Centers, there are situations in providing dental care when the work has more cosmetic function than masticatory value. We were recently asked to provide a rush upper denture without lower denture, even though the patient had no dentition. Complete edentulism Is rampant on skidrow. The chronic citizens in these survival life style has very little access to sinks or sink water or toothbrushes. Their meager collection of possessions often get confiscated as they are displaced or periodically incarcerated. Often they loose all hygiene motivations because of psychotic episodes or just common bouts of depression.
This particular denture request required a review. Are we providing adequate care? Has the patient ever tried a full lower denture? Has the patient ever received adequate instructions for use of denture adhesive. We did not delay the case but as the dental director, I felt it was necessary to inquire.
Her situation was not too unusual. She was dying. Life expectancy on skidrow is about 55. She was merely trying to finish with a smile. Her cancer was extremely advanced. She was trying to reconnect with a couple of old acquaintances and wanted to create a couple of .memories with whatever family she could find.
We are serving a horrible community. We are part of the solution but the lives are often bleak. Often we don’t know how to connect with them in time to see any change in their lives. There really are not a lot of victories to speak about. We are called to come alongside and provide as best we can. In this case a half a smile is enough. It’s all she needed. It is a pleasure to try our best to make some differences. However small.
At the Los Angeles Christian Health Centers, there are situations in providing dental care when the work has more cosmetic function than masticatory value. We were recently asked to provide a rush upper denture without lower denture, even though the patient had no dentition. Complete edentulism Is rampant on skidrow. The chronic citizens in these survival life style has very little access to sinks or sink water or toothbrushes. Their meager collection of possessions often get confiscated as they are displaced or periodically incarcerated. Often they loose all hygiene motivations because of psychotic episodes or just common bouts of depression.
This particular denture request required a review. Are we providing adequate care? Has the patient ever tried a full lower denture? Has the patient ever received adequate instructions for use of denture adhesive. We did not delay the case but as the dental director, I felt it was necessary to inquire.
Her situation was not too unusual. She was dying. Life expectancy on skidrow is about 55. She was merely trying to finish with a smile. Her cancer was extremely advanced. She was trying to reconnect with a couple of old acquaintances and wanted to create a couple of .memories with whatever family she could find.
We are serving a horrible community. We are part of the solution but the lives are often bleak. Often we don’t know how to connect with them in time to see any change in their lives. There really are not a lot of victories to speak about. We are called to come alongside and provide as best we can. In this case a half a smile is enough. It’s all she needed. It is a pleasure to try our best to make some differences. However small.