What to look for when choosing a long term care facility in Oakland and Macomb Michigan

June 9, 2008 by ·

Question: I am looking for a nursing facility to keep my father at since his care is failing. I live in Macomb county and have questions about what to ask in reference to his total health care.   By reading your monthly Ask the Dentist article I do know that dental care is important when it comes to total overall care. Please Advise Mary P. Clinton Twp. Michigan.

Answer: Elderly people who live in nursing homes in the Macomb and Oakland county area of Michigan are at greater risk for oral health problems compared to elderly people who live independently, according to a study published in the July/August 2002 issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

Thanks in part to widespread fluoridation, more people than ever before are keeping their teeth throughout their lives. But as people age, medical complications and other factors can negatively affect oral health. Evidence shows that older Americans are at risk for greater oral health problems than other groups because of age and the inability to get to a dentist’s office due to an existing medical condition or lack of transportation.

Oral health of frail elders residing in long-term care facilities is very poor, and most of the care at nursing homes is medical care and nursing care. Often oral care is overlooked and ignored for the homebound. We at Portable Dental Services have found that nurses and other health care providers haven’t been trained or aren’t willing to take the extra step in enhancing ones oral care. In fact I have found that there is an attitude of disgust when it comes to the mouth of other people. I have had some very positive experiences when it comes to their effort in providing oral care. You just have to really research and ask some important questions to the nursing staff.

Children or other relatives should take an active role in the oral health needs of elderly people residing in nursing homes. Assisting with brushing, flossing and general oral care must be promoted by the family members since no one else will advocate for the elderly patient than a relative or friend of a loved one. If there are questions about need our mobile, in the home dental care service is available for those who reside in Oakland and Macomb counties Michigan by visiting www.PortableDentalServices.com. or calling (586)873-5567.

According to the report, greater awareness among health care providers and caregivers can do much to ensure the elderly receive good oral health care, primarily through assessments of the patient’s mouth.

Before choosing a nursing home for an elderly person, relatives and loved ones should inquire about the quality and consistency of dental care at the facility. Questions one should ask are:

  • Does the home have on-call dentists?
  • Is nursing-home staff trained in basic mouth care?
  • Is the staff trained to recognize oral problems?
  • Does nursing home staff emphasize mouth care at least once a day?

If the staff or home administrator can’t say ‘yes’ to each of these questions, then a red flag should go up

Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home. His motto is to “relax while we take care of your smile”. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb County Michigan. For more information visit our Shelby Dentist website or call at 586-247-3500

Filed Under: Dentures, General Dentistry, Mobile Dentistry, Mouth pain, Periodontal Disease, Portable Dentistry Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Mobile Dental Care

May 22, 2007 by ·

Mobile  Dental  Care
 

Question:  I have read  your ad that you have in the Senior Living News on Portable Dental Services and have some questions about what you provide.  My father is at home with my mother who watches him.  He had some health issues that has kept him from getting out of the house and now he has a need for a dentist to come to the home.  He has developed a tooth ache which comes and goes.  I just recently saw the ad a couple of  weeks ago and am interested in more information.  Your phone number is on the ad, but thought it would be easier to write you.  Could you please explain what you do and how you do it?
 Thank You, J. Peterson
 

Answer:   
I have been treating patients with mobile dentistry in the comfort of their own home for about 5 years now. We use specially made portable dental equipment.  Most of it has been designed for the military, but has been modified for our particular use. I have redesigned a portable dental chair that is very comfortable for the patient.  We also have the ability to take x-rays and view them instantly on our computer using our digital x-ray system.  I utilize a small, but powerful light mounted on my magnifying glasses to see what I do.  Our portable mobile dental unit provides suction, air/water spray and vacuum just like you would expect to find at our Shelby township office setting.
              With mobile dentistry, we can provide all of the services we do in our office including, x-rays, examination, extractions, root canals, fillings, cleanings, porcelain crowns, dentures. Our fees for mobile dental care are the same as those at our office. The only additional charge is our home visit fee which can range from $90-$120 per visit depending on the distance we have to travel.  Since we individualize the necessary dental treatment plans, we don’t know what treatment is necessary until we do a thorough exam and x-rays. Because we only see 2-4 patients per day and have a limited amount of time devoted to mobile dentistry, we do not participate with Medicaid or Medicare.  Also, because we provide this service only on Thursdays we are limited to traveling to Oakland and Macomb counties. 
Before any dental treatment is started, we will provide you a written estimate of the recommended home dental care. We are well aware that most of what we do is to eliminate pain or just patch up things. For those who want cosmetic dentistry or complex restorative dental treatment, we can also provide this. In fact, we extracted a tooth and placed a dental implant for a patient before!   The decision is always left up to the patient and family whether we do some, all or none of the recommended home dental treatment.  This is also why we request that the person in charge of your father be present during the first home dentistry visit.  This way we can show you the x-rays and discuss candidly what is recommended.   We do offer financing, payment through major credit cards, check or cash.  We do ask that payment is made in full when the home dentistry services are provided.  We will bill your insurance and take care of the paperwork as a courtesy. 
 

Whether we see your dad in his bed or in our dental chair depends on whether he can be moved, but we are very accommodating in what we do and how we provide the home dental care. Mobile dentistry requires great flexibility on our part without compromising the quality of the dental care. 
 

 People are usually quite amazed when they see all we can do in their home.  Patients are usually referred to us for mobile dental care by home health agencies, hospice, or other avenues, but we would be happy to talk to you specifically about your father and what his needs are, Feel free to contact Sande at (586)873-5567 or visit our web site at www.TheGentleDentist.com/mobile_dentistry.htm.

 

Filed Under: General Dentistry, Mobile Dentistry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,