- Email: [email protected]
UNPRECEDENTED RESPONSE
L E T T E R S
Br Dent J 1984;157(10):341.
UNPRECEDENTED RESPONSE
Editor’s note: Two articles written independently but related to the broad topic of caring for special patients spurred an unprecedented—and largely unexpected—response, mainly from nondentists, many of them working with the mentally ill. The articles that triggered this outpouring: “Bipolar I Disorder: Psychopathology, Medical Management and Dental Implications,” by Drs. Arthur and Ida Friedlander and Dr. Stephen Marder, September JADA; “Providing Dental Care for Special Patients: Tips for the General Dentist,” by Dr. Larry Lawton, December JADA. What follows is a representative sampling of the more than 30 much-appreciated letters received in response to these two articles. Thanks much for your article[s] about treating people with mental illness. It showed a high level of intelligence, understanding and, more importantly, compassion. You may be aware that getting proper dental care is a major problem across the nation for mentally ill people receiving Medicaid. I wish we and U.S. dentists would work together to resolve it. Even in advanced, progressive Madison—
41 6
considered a model community for treatment of mental illness—dental care for mentally ill poor people is a serious problem. If the solution is higher Medicaid payments to dentists, we must work for it immediately. Thanks again for your fine article[s]. Frank Ryan President, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)-Wisconsin Madison Thank you for publishing the series of articles in JADA on providing dental care for special patients. It is refreshing to see that the dental community finds these illnesses serious enough to warrant special attention. Educating health care providers on the special needs of those patients with mental illness is important, as these patients may not know how to communicate their needs. Also, introducing the providers with knowledge on these patients will save them misunderstandings, and possible inadvertent disrespect or discrimination. Thank you again for bringing this important issue to light. Sue Andersen Bellevue, Wash.
adults with chronic mental illnesses. I wanted to say thank you for your educated and openminded approaches. Compassion and tolerance are two of the most important tools, and more professionals need to realize this. Danielle Dreyfuss, C.S.W. New York City The bells are ringing, ringing, ringing for you. I cannot thank you enough for your articles in the September and December JADA issues on providing dental care for special patients. You have taken a major step in the campaign to eliminate the stigma attached to our dear citizens who unfortunately have a disability. Your insightfulness and understanding of a need so overwhelmingly overlooked in our society is to be lauded, and I want to go on record as the mother of a handicapped son to personally thank you for your “compassion and tolerance.” Myrna Calabro Houston, Pa. Support and acceptance come from the most unexpected places! Thanks, ADA, for compassion and awareness. Karen M. Gagne Auburn, Maine
I am a social worker in New York City who works with
JADA, Vol. 134, April 2003 Copyright ©2003 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
Br Dent J 1984;157(10):341.
UNPRECEDENTED RESPONSE
Editor’s note: Two articles written independently but related to the broad topic of caring for special patients spurred an unprecedented—and largely unexpected—response, mainly from nondentists, many of them working with the mentally ill. The articles that triggered this outpouring: “Bipolar I Disorder: Psychopathology, Medical Management and Dental Implications,” by Drs. Arthur and Ida Friedlander and Dr. Stephen Marder, September JADA; “Providing Dental Care for Special Patients: Tips for the General Dentist,” by Dr. Larry Lawton, December JADA. What follows is a representative sampling of the more than 30 much-appreciated letters received in response to these two articles. Thanks much for your article[s] about treating people with mental illness. It showed a high level of intelligence, understanding and, more importantly, compassion. You may be aware that getting proper dental care is a major problem across the nation for mentally ill people receiving Medicaid. I wish we and U.S. dentists would work together to resolve it. Even in advanced, progressive Madison—
41 6
considered a model community for treatment of mental illness—dental care for mentally ill poor people is a serious problem. If the solution is higher Medicaid payments to dentists, we must work for it immediately. Thanks again for your fine article[s]. Frank Ryan President, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)-Wisconsin Madison Thank you for publishing the series of articles in JADA on providing dental care for special patients. It is refreshing to see that the dental community finds these illnesses serious enough to warrant special attention. Educating health care providers on the special needs of those patients with mental illness is important, as these patients may not know how to communicate their needs. Also, introducing the providers with knowledge on these patients will save them misunderstandings, and possible inadvertent disrespect or discrimination. Thank you again for bringing this important issue to light. Sue Andersen Bellevue, Wash.
adults with chronic mental illnesses. I wanted to say thank you for your educated and openminded approaches. Compassion and tolerance are two of the most important tools, and more professionals need to realize this. Danielle Dreyfuss, C.S.W. New York City The bells are ringing, ringing, ringing for you. I cannot thank you enough for your articles in the September and December JADA issues on providing dental care for special patients. You have taken a major step in the campaign to eliminate the stigma attached to our dear citizens who unfortunately have a disability. Your insightfulness and understanding of a need so overwhelmingly overlooked in our society is to be lauded, and I want to go on record as the mother of a handicapped son to personally thank you for your “compassion and tolerance.” Myrna Calabro Houston, Pa. Support and acceptance come from the most unexpected places! Thanks, ADA, for compassion and awareness. Karen M. Gagne Auburn, Maine
I am a social worker in New York City who works with
JADA, Vol. 134, April 2003 Copyright ©2003 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.