Dentaltown October 2013 - (Page 78)

pediatric feature by Erika Skorupskas In 2001, it became clear to Duenna Karner that her autistic son, Will, would require extensive orthodontia treatment. Cautioned that Will had no chance of help beyond treatment in a hospital under anesthesia for braces, and couldn’t possibly see a “regular” dentist, Duenna and her family were able to find Dr. Steven D. Lasser of Providence, Rhode Island, and embark on a near 10-year relationship. Will became a dentistry and orthodontic patient of Lasser and maintained a regular appointment on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the same room, with the same hygienist, Susan Maguire, with his favorite magazine and mirror kept with his chart. Will liked to watch the procedures as they were being done. Trust comes hard to the autistic; it took only three visits for Will to trust Lasser. According to Duenna, “My son has learned to trust and discern those who can be trusted from those who cannot – Lasser can be trusted.” Based on this mutual trust, Will was able to get through five years of intensive orthodontia, as well as regular check-ups and cleanings. As Will was shuffled from school to school, doctor to doctor, medication to medication, he delighted in the Wednesdays he got to see Maguire and Lasser, regardless of the fact there might be pain involved or even a new appliance. They were a predictable encouraging rock in his swirling world of change and difficulty. To most people, it would be hard to imagine that a pediatric dental practice would serve the role of comfort and strength to an autistic boy and his family in the difficult years of fifth through 12th grade. However, Will continually looked forward to those Wednesday afternoons, and as he became more mature and controlled, Will would even tease Lasser about Lasser’s dislike of dogs, and threaten with a smile to bring his companion pug, Bruce, to an appointment. For more than 30 years, Lasser has overseen his Pediatric Dentistry Limited practice in both Cranston and Providence, Rhode Island. His practice prides itself in treating many patients with special needs and he “believes they are quite skillful in this area, and from a selfish point of view, derive a great amount of satisfaction from treating patients who truly need our help.” Lasser and his staff have worked hard to integrate many of these patients into their normal routine, although they also set aside specific periods of time during the day and during any given month to interact with those patients who do not do well in the normal, quite hectic, “busyness” of their pediatric dental practice. continued on page 80 78 OCTOBER 2013 » dentaltown.com http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown October 2013

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: Treatment Plans, Social Media Marketing and the Meaning of Life
Professional Courtesy: 10 Things that Annoy Me
Continuing Education Update
Parent Wants to Video Appointments for Child’s Protection
Ribbond Splinted Bridge for Tooth #8
New Products
Corporate Profile: Scientific Metals
Rental Investments: Sane or a Pain?
Product Profile: 3M ESPE RelyX Luting Plus Cement
Product Profile: U.S. Bank
Product Profile: Demandforce
You Should Know: Shatkin F.I.R.S.T.
The Pity Prison
You Should Know: DC Dental
What’s Your Practice’s Online Reputation?
The Changing World of Pediatric Dentistry
Quality Face Time at Dental Home Day
You Should Know: Healthy Smiles Healthy Children
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
You Should Know: EZ-Pedo
The Mini Implant-supported Long-term Temporary Crowns for Missing Lateral Incisors
My Son, the Slippery Octopus
Continuing Education: Fundamental Space Maintenance
In This Issue: Oral Cancer
Perio Reports
Ad Index
Profile in Oral Health: A Hygienist’s Personal Experience with Oral Cancer
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown October 2013