December 13, 2021 • 12 mins
There is perhaps no issue that people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) struggle with more than dental care.
· State data indicates that 29% of adults with disabilities reported having at least one permanent tooth removed over the past year, and 26% said they had not visited a dentist within the past year.
· Adults with a disability are less likely to visit the dentist for a cleaning, check-up, or exam than people without disabilities (47% and 76%, respectively).
Most people with I/DD rely upon Medicaid for their dental care. Yet only 37% of licensed dentists in WI are available to serve the Medicaid population and 53% of these dentists are listed as either inactive or are not accepting new patients.
Today we talk to a dentist who is trying to make things better. Lakisha Arif-Holmes DDS owns Mayfair Family Dentistry in Wauwatosa. and she takes pride in specializing in treatment to patients of all ages with special healthcare needs, including Autism and people with IDD.
Mayfair Family Dentistry: https://www.mayfairfamdentistry.com/
414-259-0665
Specialty Care Dentistry Association: https://scda.site-ym.com/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to the arc experience, featuring the
stories of self advocates withdisabilities and their families
from around Wisconsin.
Be inspired.
Take action.
And now for today's episode,
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hello and welcome to the arc experience podcast.
I am your host, Lisa pew of thearc Wisconsin.
This is our last episode for awhile.
So if you've been a listener,uh, we're just gonna take a
pause, but we're leaving youwith a really great episode.
Uh, today we're talking aboutout an issue that we get a lot
of calls about at the aWisconsin is actually a very
(00:46):
serious issue for people withintellectual developmental
disabilities.
And that is dental care.
It is, is probably something Iget more calls about than almost
any other issue, because, youknow, I just, some brief
statistics, the state tells usthat almost a third of adults
with disabilities reportedhaving at least one permanent
tooth removed over the lastyear.
(01:08):
And about a quarter of peoplewith disabilities said they
hadn't visited a dentist in thelast year.
Adults with disabilities areless likely to visit the dentist
for basic dental care likecleanings checkups exams than
people without dis abilities.
That's, you know, 47% versus76%.
Um, it really is a very seriousissue today.
(01:30):
We are talking to someone who isan expert in this area and also
is very concerned about that andwants to help make things
better.
Dr.
Lakeisha a Holmes is a dentistat Mayfair family dentistry in
Wawa.
Thank you so much for joining usdoctor.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Well, thank you for having me on Lisa.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Well, so I'd like to dig right in, uh, you know, kind
of, if you could tell us alittle bit about yourself and
your practice, and then ofcourse our listeners would like
to hear, you know, what is yourinterest in serving P people
with intellectual developmentaldisabilities?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Great.
So, um, I've been practicing foralmost 13 years in Wisconsin,
graduated Marquette university.
And, um, when I graduated, Iwent on to do a general practice
residency in Indiana, um, thatwas geared towards working with,
um, special needs patients.
So we were able to treat ourpatients either at our clinic
(02:30):
there, or we would take'em tothe hospital, um, where they
would be sedated under generalanesthesia for us to do, um,
their dental work.
And basically it's justdependent on, um, what their
capacity is if they're able totolerate, um, dental treatment
in the office, or if there wasquite a bit of dental treatment
(02:51):
that needed to be done, um, itwas more appropriate to have'em
sedated so that we can completeit all at once so that it it's
more comfortable for thepatient.
Um, so I have been at thislocation for almost four years
now.
I knew that when I went intopractice for myself, that I
(03:12):
wanted a, an office that washeavier on treating patient with
special healthcare needs issomething that's near and dear
to my heart.
So I knew that that wassomething that we were gonna
incorporate into the office.
Um, we recently moved locations,um, in June.
(03:32):
And so our office space that wehave here now in Wawa, Tulsa,
it's set up and it's more sofriendly, um, and functioning
for our patients that do havespecial healthcare needs and
just having a place where theycould just feel comfortable to
just be themselves.
So in our office, we have what'scalled a quiet room and
essentially what the quiet roomis, is what it sounds like.
(03:54):
So it's, it's pretty soundproof.
Um, and the setup in there is alot different.
So we're able to move over thedental chair if we need to.
Um, if all of the carts, uh,where our handpieces are stored,
all of those are mobile.
So if the patient wants to standfor their dental appointment,
they can stand for their dentalappointment and we can meet them
(04:15):
where they are.
They wanna sit on the floor, butwe'll meet'em on the floor.
We just really want to make thatpatient feel comfortable here
and what, with what we're doing.
Um, in addition, we have a, likea sensory room, a calm down
room.
Um, so if our patients, if theydon't really feel that, uh, that
(04:35):
comfortable or that they wannabe in the dental room, well, we
can always take'em to the calmdown room.
And, and again, that one issoundproof as well.
And it just has a lot of, um,sensory items in there just to
be able to help that patientfeel comfortable.
Um, all of our rooms are able tobe dimed, so it's very light
accommodating.
(04:56):
Um, so when we designed thispractice here, it was all with
that patient that has, um,disabilities in mind.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
That's really amazing.
And, you know, I, and like Isaid earlier with the
statistics, and I'm sure you'refully aware, there are so many
people that lack access todental care, lots of challenges
with getting support for the,this population.
Why do you think that is?
Why do we have this manychallenges?
(05:25):
Why am I getting calls frompeople, looking for a dentist
who can take them?
Speaker 3 (05:31):
I think one of the main challenges is, um,
reimbursement.
Um, a lot of patients do, theyare on state assistance, um,
with, you know, Medicaid orthrough Iris.
Um, and so the reimbursementcoupled with the amount of time
that it might take, um, to makeprogress with the patient, I
(05:54):
think that is the biggest hurdlethat we have, um, and why more,
um, dentists are not involved init.
And then just the training.
Um, not everyone goes on to dolike a hospital based residency.
And so just having that formaltraining to be able to increase
the access to care for thisvulnerable population, that is
(06:14):
one of the main issues
Speaker 2 (06:17):
You said, serving this population is near and dear
to your heart.
Why is that?
How, how do you think thatbecame a passion of yours?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Um, you know, I didn't know that it, it was a
passion until I thought that Ialways wanted to do, um,
pediatric dentistry and that wassomething that I always gearing
towards and, um, preparingmyself for as the next step.
But, um, you know, honestly Ijust really enjoyed, um, being
able to have breakthroughs withour patients that have
(06:49):
disabilities and, um, being ableto just be that person to listen
to what the family, what thefamily's concerns are.
And I think that the passionactually started when I was
younger, like sixth grade.
I remember that I was part of atutoring program and, um, the
(07:11):
room that I was assigned to wasthe special education room.
And so just being able to be inthat room, you know, two to
three time times a week andtyping braille for the kiddos in
the class, it was, it wasamazing.
And so that just helped to makean impact on me.
And I knew that, um, servingothers was something that I
always wanted to do.
(07:31):
And I know that this population,they really need a lot of help
and they need, um, a person thatis compassionate about helping
them and treat them impatient.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
I can tell you that there are a lot of people
listening to this right now thatthis is music to their ears.
You know, people who are verydesperate that have gone without
dental care and that live withpain or struggle are loved ones
who have pain and just have somepeople driving hours to find a
dentist.
So I think, I will say for allof the people listening, just
(08:09):
thank you for your interest andcommitment to that, you know,
and part of the work that we doat the arc Wisconsin is about
how do we change some of thesesystemic problems that make it
so difficult for people?
What if you could have a magicwand, what would, what would you
do to make things better?
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Um, so there is exciting news.
I know that Marquette, they havea great organization there, it's
the student chapter of thespecial care dentistry
association.
Um, they're just true champ endsfor treating, um, patients that
have special healthcare needs.
And because of that, um, they'vekind of advocated to the school
that they want more trainingwith treating patients that have
(08:53):
special healthcare needs.
So I know that Marquette is, um,in the next few years that they
are gonna put more money towardstraining the proper training to
train the students so that whenthey come out, they feel good
about treating this population.
So that's exciting.
It's just, it's gonna take sometime.
(09:14):
The other part is justadvocating, advocating, um, to
the state, um, for higherreimbursement for, um,
practitioners who do treat, um,patients that have special
healthcare needs, cuz sometimeslike, um, you might not get
anywhere in that appointment andit might take another
appointment to just continuedesensitizing the patient.
(09:38):
And so just having these properthings in, in place so that you
can make it, um, to be able tokeep the lights on and pay bills
for your office.
So that's where it starts from.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Thank you for that.
What, what advice do you havefor those families or
individuals who are really, youknow, struggling to find help?
What, what, what can they do?
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Um, I would, you know, search the special care
dentistry association website,um, that's S CDA online.org.
Um, they do have resources, uh,for parents to be able to help
with at home care.
And there's also a resourcebutton on there to search for
(10:22):
dentists in your area.
Um, we are also here to be ableto help, so feel free to give us
a call.
Um, and that's, that's it.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Sure.
Thank you.
Um, well how do we get intocontact with you?
Let's make sure we have thatinformation.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
All right.
So, uh, families can feel freeto just Google Mayfair, family
dentistry in Wawa, Tulsa, um, orgive us a call at(414) 259-0665.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Okay.
I will make sure I have all thatinformation in the show notes
for people to follow up withyou, cuz I'm guessing you're
gonna get a lot of contactsafter people hear this podcast,
but thank you so much for yourwork.
Are there any parting thoughtsyou have for people that are
listening to what we talkedabout today?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Um, just making sure to keep calling, keep advocating
for your child to be seen.
Um, there are dentists outthere.
It's not many of us that do whatwe do, but there are some in the
state of Wisconsin and I'm justreally optimistic in the next
few years that it's gonna really, um, be a change in the state.
(11:37):
So there will be more providersthat'll be able to provide that
access.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
That's really good news.
Thank you so much for sharingthat.
And thank you for joining us onthe podcast today.
thank you for, toour listeners for listening to
the arc experience podcast.
I mentioned at the beginning ofthat podcast, we're pausing the
podcast series for a bit, butplease keep in touch, check back
regularly for new episodes andas always make sure to like
(12:05):
share and to subscribe untilnext time
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Today's episode of the, a experience was brought to
you by the arc Wisconsin, thestate's oldest advocacy
organization for people withintellectual developmental
disabilities and their familiesit's funded in part by the
Wisconsin board for people withdevelopmental disabilities.
Our theme music called speciesis the property of E Y five Z.
(12:31):
It cannot be copied ordistributed without permission.
It was produced by Eleanor chum,a composer and artist with
autism.
Welcome to the arc experience, featuring the
stories of self advocates withdisabilities and their families
from around Wisconsin.
Be inspired.
Take action.
And now for today's episode,
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hello and welcome to the arc experience podcast.
I am your host, Lisa pew of thearc Wisconsin.
This is our last episode for awhile.
So if you've been a listener,uh, we're just gonna take a
pause, but we're leaving youwith a really great episode.
Uh, today we're talking aboutout an issue that we get a lot
of calls about at the aWisconsin is actually a very
(00:46):
serious issue for people withintellectual developmental
disabilities.
And that is dental care.
It is, is probably something Iget more calls about than almost
any other issue, because, youknow, I just, some brief
statistics, the state tells usthat almost a third of adults
with disabilities reportedhaving at least one permanent
tooth removed over the lastyear.
(01:08):
And about a quarter of peoplewith disabilities said they
hadn't visited a dentist in thelast year.
Adults with disabilities areless likely to visit the dentist
for basic dental care likecleanings checkups exams than
people without dis abilities.
That's, you know, 47% versus76%.
Um, it really is a very seriousissue today.
(01:30):
We are talking to someone who isan expert in this area and also
is very concerned about that andwants to help make things
better.
Dr.
Lakeisha a Holmes is a dentistat Mayfair family dentistry in
Wawa.
Thank you so much for joining usdoctor.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Well, thank you for having me on Lisa.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Well, so I'd like to dig right in, uh, you know, kind
of, if you could tell us alittle bit about yourself and
your practice, and then ofcourse our listeners would like
to hear, you know, what is yourinterest in serving P people
with intellectual developmentaldisabilities?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Great.
So, um, I've been practicing foralmost 13 years in Wisconsin,
graduated Marquette university.
And, um, when I graduated, Iwent on to do a general practice
residency in Indiana, um, thatwas geared towards working with,
um, special needs patients.
So we were able to treat ourpatients either at our clinic
(02:30):
there, or we would take'em tothe hospital, um, where they
would be sedated under generalanesthesia for us to do, um,
their dental work.
And basically it's justdependent on, um, what their
capacity is if they're able totolerate, um, dental treatment
in the office, or if there wasquite a bit of dental treatment
(02:51):
that needed to be done, um, itwas more appropriate to have'em
sedated so that we can completeit all at once so that it it's
more comfortable for thepatient.
Um, so I have been at thislocation for almost four years
now.
I knew that when I went intopractice for myself, that I
(03:12):
wanted a, an office that washeavier on treating patient with
special healthcare needs issomething that's near and dear
to my heart.
So I knew that that wassomething that we were gonna
incorporate into the office.
Um, we recently moved locations,um, in June.
(03:32):
And so our office space that wehave here now in Wawa, Tulsa,
it's set up and it's more sofriendly, um, and functioning
for our patients that do havespecial healthcare needs and
just having a place where theycould just feel comfortable to
just be themselves.
So in our office, we have what'scalled a quiet room and
essentially what the quiet roomis, is what it sounds like.
(03:54):
So it's, it's pretty soundproof.
Um, and the setup in there is alot different.
So we're able to move over thedental chair if we need to.
Um, if all of the carts, uh,where our handpieces are stored,
all of those are mobile.
So if the patient wants to standfor their dental appointment,
they can stand for their dentalappointment and we can meet them
(04:15):
where they are.
They wanna sit on the floor, butwe'll meet'em on the floor.
We just really want to make thatpatient feel comfortable here
and what, with what we're doing.
Um, in addition, we have a, likea sensory room, a calm down
room.
Um, so if our patients, if theydon't really feel that, uh, that
(04:35):
comfortable or that they wannabe in the dental room, well, we
can always take'em to the calmdown room.
And, and again, that one issoundproof as well.
And it just has a lot of, um,sensory items in there just to
be able to help that patientfeel comfortable.
Um, all of our rooms are able tobe dimed, so it's very light
accommodating.
(04:56):
Um, so when we designed thispractice here, it was all with
that patient that has, um,disabilities in mind.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
That's really amazing.
And, you know, I, and like Isaid earlier with the
statistics, and I'm sure you'refully aware, there are so many
people that lack access todental care, lots of challenges
with getting support for the,this population.
Why do you think that is?
Why do we have this manychallenges?
(05:25):
Why am I getting calls frompeople, looking for a dentist
who can take them?
Speaker 3 (05:31):
I think one of the main challenges is, um,
reimbursement.
Um, a lot of patients do, theyare on state assistance, um,
with, you know, Medicaid orthrough Iris.
Um, and so the reimbursementcoupled with the amount of time
that it might take, um, to makeprogress with the patient, I
(05:54):
think that is the biggest hurdlethat we have, um, and why more,
um, dentists are not involved init.
And then just the training.
Um, not everyone goes on to dolike a hospital based residency.
And so just having that formaltraining to be able to increase
the access to care for thisvulnerable population, that is
(06:14):
one of the main issues
Speaker 2 (06:17):
You said, serving this population is near and dear
to your heart.
Why is that?
How, how do you think thatbecame a passion of yours?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Um, you know, I didn't know that it, it was a
passion until I thought that Ialways wanted to do, um,
pediatric dentistry and that wassomething that I always gearing
towards and, um, preparingmyself for as the next step.
But, um, you know, honestly Ijust really enjoyed, um, being
able to have breakthroughs withour patients that have
(06:49):
disabilities and, um, being ableto just be that person to listen
to what the family, what thefamily's concerns are.
And I think that the passionactually started when I was
younger, like sixth grade.
I remember that I was part of atutoring program and, um, the
(07:11):
room that I was assigned to wasthe special education room.
And so just being able to be inthat room, you know, two to
three time times a week andtyping braille for the kiddos in
the class, it was, it wasamazing.
And so that just helped to makean impact on me.
And I knew that, um, servingothers was something that I
always wanted to do.
(07:31):
And I know that this population,they really need a lot of help
and they need, um, a person thatis compassionate about helping
them and treat them impatient.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
I can tell you that there are a lot of people
listening to this right now thatthis is music to their ears.
You know, people who are verydesperate that have gone without
dental care and that live withpain or struggle are loved ones
who have pain and just have somepeople driving hours to find a
dentist.
So I think, I will say for allof the people listening, just
(08:09):
thank you for your interest andcommitment to that, you know,
and part of the work that we doat the arc Wisconsin is about
how do we change some of thesesystemic problems that make it
so difficult for people?
What if you could have a magicwand, what would, what would you
do to make things better?
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Um, so there is exciting news.
I know that Marquette, they havea great organization there, it's
the student chapter of thespecial care dentistry
association.
Um, they're just true champ endsfor treating, um, patients that
have special healthcare needs.
And because of that, um, they'vekind of advocated to the school
that they want more trainingwith treating patients that have
(08:53):
special healthcare needs.
So I know that Marquette is, um,in the next few years that they
are gonna put more money towardstraining the proper training to
train the students so that whenthey come out, they feel good
about treating this population.
So that's exciting.
It's just, it's gonna take sometime.
(09:14):
The other part is justadvocating, advocating, um, to
the state, um, for higherreimbursement for, um,
practitioners who do treat, um,patients that have special
healthcare needs, cuz sometimeslike, um, you might not get
anywhere in that appointment andit might take another
appointment to just continuedesensitizing the patient.
(09:38):
And so just having these properthings in, in place so that you
can make it, um, to be able tokeep the lights on and pay bills
for your office.
So that's where it starts from.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Thank you for that.
What, what advice do you havefor those families or
individuals who are really, youknow, struggling to find help?
What, what, what can they do?
Speaker 3 (10:01):
Um, I would, you know, search the special care
dentistry association website,um, that's S CDA online.org.
Um, they do have resources, uh,for parents to be able to help
with at home care.
And there's also a resourcebutton on there to search for
(10:22):
dentists in your area.
Um, we are also here to be ableto help, so feel free to give us
a call.
Um, and that's, that's it.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Sure.
Thank you.
Um, well how do we get intocontact with you?
Let's make sure we have thatinformation.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
All right.
So, uh, families can feel freeto just Google Mayfair, family
dentistry in Wawa, Tulsa, um, orgive us a call at(414) 259-0665.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Okay.
I will make sure I have all thatinformation in the show notes
for people to follow up withyou, cuz I'm guessing you're
gonna get a lot of contactsafter people hear this podcast,
but thank you so much for yourwork.
Are there any parting thoughtsyou have for people that are
listening to what we talkedabout today?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Um, just making sure to keep calling, keep advocating
for your child to be seen.
Um, there are dentists outthere.
It's not many of us that do whatwe do, but there are some in the
state of Wisconsin and I'm justreally optimistic in the next
few years that it's gonna really, um, be a change in the state.
(11:37):
So there will be more providersthat'll be able to provide that
access.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
That's really good news.
Thank you so much for sharingthat.
And thank you for joining us onthe podcast today.
the arc experience podcast.
I mentioned at the beginning ofthat podcast, we're pausing the
podcast series for a bit, butplease keep in touch, check back
regularly for new episodes andas always make sure to like
(12:05):
share and to subscribe untilnext time
Speaker 1 (12:09):
Today's episode of the, a experience was brought to
you by the arc Wisconsin, thestate's oldest advocacy
organization for people withintellectual developmental
disabilities and their familiesit's funded in part by the
Wisconsin board for people withdevelopmental disabilities.
Our theme music called speciesis the property of E Y five Z.
(12:31):
It cannot be copied ordistributed without permission.
It was produced by Eleanor chum,a composer and artist with
autism.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.