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| Over several weeks this spring, Special Smiles founder Mark Goldstein, DDS visited several Merakey locations, providing oral examinations and care recommendations for more than 150 clients. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted dental appointment schedules for special needs clients over the past two years, so Dr. Goldstein felt it was important to go to Merakey sites to prioritize treatment needs.
The screening project started small, with a request from Merakey Nursing Director Maureen Greene for a “house call” to examine 15 clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are unable to travel, most due to medical conditions. That was so successful, Greene asked to expand the project first to every patient in the Merakey AVS facility, and then to a Merakey Day Program in Hatboro and Merakey – Woodhaven in Philadelphia. “It was a wonderful and exhausting experience,” Dr. Goldstein said. He saw patients in a variety of settings, including a common space in the medical suite where he was serenaded by chirping baby chicks recently hatched in an incubator there. He also showed staff attending an Oral Stimulation Program techniques to get in the patient’s mouth and provide oral hygiene care. Special needs care facilities wishing to inquire about onsite screenings may email p.silverio@specialsmilesltd.com. |
