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Special Smiles has many important partnerships with residential facilities, programs and agencies serving people with intellectual, developmental, psychological, and physical disabilities. We will be introducing you to our partners through this quarterly newsletter.
Merakey is a national nonprofit providing a wide range of services in developmental and behavioral health and education. It has more than 600 locations in 12 states. Special Smiles partners with Merakey locations in southeastern Pennsylvania.
We spoke with Maureen Greene, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing at Merakey AVS on Verree Road in Philadelphia. This agency provides homes and a full range of services to nearly 800 individuals, most of whom are diagnosed with severe or profound intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Most also have multiple physical disabilities, extensive medical complications, and challenging behaviors.
Why do you bring Merakey clients to Special Smiles for dental care?
The population we serve is quite atypical in that they present with a range of challenges that manifest in a variety of ways. This population cannot be properly served in a community dental setting. When Dr. [Mark] Goldstein founded Special Smiles, he took the time and energy to figure out a best practice model to serve those whom other dental practices could not serve.
What has been your experience over the years with the care received?
The Special Smiles team is incredibly thorough. They are prepared and equipped to ensure the best outcome for every individual. They work closely with the Merakey medical team to make sure they are fully apprised of the patient’s medical history. All the pieces are in place and everything is coordinated to make the visit safe. Safety is of paramount importance to us and to Special Smiles.
How would you describe the relationship between Merakey and Special Smiles?
Finding Special Smiles was an uncanny marriage of visions, philosophies and passions. As we speak, I am looking at a poster of Merakey’s core values: compassion, diversity, integrity, quality, safety, and trust. I would use those same words to sum up the values I see in the people we work with at Special Smiles.
You mentioned passion. What part does that play in serving this population?
I feel privileged to work with this population every day. Their challenges came from birth and they are doing their best with what life has given them. Dr. Goldstein and his team mirror my feelings. They put heart and soul into everything they do. They treat each person in their care as the only person who matters to them. These individuals deserve nothing less.
