People with developmental disabilities often have to wait years for dental care. A sedation clinic in Cleveland is helping to remedy that problem.
MetroHealth and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Cuyahoga DD) have joined forces to bring a Dental Sedation Clinic to the community. This initiative addresses critical barriers to dental care for individuals with developmental disabilities, ensuring they receive the timely and compassionate care they need.
According to Dr. Richard Rowlett, director of Clinical Services at Cuyahoga DD, the partnership initially focused on improving care coordination. “Beginning in 2022, discussions between Dr. Gregory Heintschel, chair of the Department of Dental Medicine at MetroHealth, and Dr. Cirillo, former Chief Clinical Officer of Cuyahoga DD, led to the idea of developing a dedicated sedation clinic,” Dr. Rowlett explained.
Dr. Heintschel added, “Cuyahoga DD provided essential funding for the necessary equipment and assigned a full-time person to schedule patients. This support has been pivotal in the clinic’s development.”
Purpose and Services
The MetroHealth Dental Sedation Clinic opened on November 30, 2023, at 3701 Lorain Avenue in Ohio City, inside the MetroHealth Family Dentistry office. The clinic operates with a team of skilled professionals trained to handle the unique requirements of patients with developmental disabilities, who often face challenges such as anxiety and communication difficulties.
“Not all individuals with developmental disabilities require the intensive services of the OR, but many need additional support for dental care,” noted Dr. Rowlett. This specialized care helps address their unique needs and improves overall health outcomes.
For patients needing procedures that require anesthesia, the general wait time in the operating room (OR) is between one to two years. The new sedation clinic helps to alleviate some of this demand by providing necessary dental care more promptly.
Dr. Heintschel highlighted the impact on wait times, stating, “Opening the sedation clinic has created a new access point for individuals with developmental disabilities, allowing for more availability of needed dental care while opening additional operating room time for the most severe cases. This clinic will help reduce wait times significantly.”
Although the clinic has significantly reduced wait times for treatment — in some cases reducing waits by up to a year — challenges still remain. One major challenge is the time limitation with each patient. “The longer the sedation, the greater the risk for the patient,” noted Dr. Rossana Artuza, a dentist at the MetroHealth Sedation Clinic. “We try to do as much as we can within a limited timeframe. Prioritizing treatments based on urgency helps us manage these challenges effectively.”
Operations and Safety
Initially, the clinic operated with one dentist and accepted patients once a week. Today, it operates with four dentists who provide care on a rotating schedule, with one dentist taking charge each week. Sedation procedures are conducted on Thursdays, with the clinic currently seeing four patients on sedation days.
Dr. Artuza emphasized the clinic’s commitment to safety. “We prioritize treatments under sedation and ensure comprehensive evaluations. Safety measures include pre-procedure tests, such as pregnancy tests, and ensuring medical stability before sedation. We aim to provide the highest level of care while minimizing risks associated with sedation.”
Patient Experience
Dr. Artuza shared a story about their first patient, who had a severe sensitivity that made even simple tasks like brushing teeth impossible. Under sedation, they were able to perform necessary treatments, greatly improving the patient’s oral health and quality of life. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to take care of such a deserving and vulnerable population,” she said. Dr. Artuza emphasized that providing care to patients who cannot go to a regular dentist due to their medical conditions is the most rewarding aspect of her work.
Community Response and Impact
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Dr. Heintschel reported, “Our sedation clinic has improved access to dental care for individuals with developmental disabilities. This timely care helps prevent dental issues from becoming systemic health problems.”
Success is tracked by monitoring waitlists and the time between identifying a needed procedure and its provision. “The dedicated staff member provided by Cuyahoga DD has been instrumental in coordinating appointments and ensuring patients receive the support they need,” Dr. Rowlett emphasized.
Dr. Luis Tollinche, department chair of Anesthesiology for MetroHealth, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its significant impact on reducing wait times for anesthesia. “Being part of this project from inception to activation has been a true privilege and honor. If we had maintained the status quo, patients would have had to wait up to two years for anesthesia. With the expansion of this program, those wait times have significantly decreased. What motivates me is ensuring access to care for patients who otherwise wouldn’t receive it. I’m thrilled that what was once a fantasy has become a reality. It’s a real privilege to contribute to this effort,” he said.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, there are plans to expand the clinic’s operations. “Ideally, we’d like to offer sedation twice a week. So far, we’re doing it once a week,” Dr. Artuza shared. Dr. Heintschel also revealed plans for a new dental clinic in Middleburg Heights, focused on securing funding for special needs children and adults. “We’ve hired pediatric and general dentists interested in providing this level of care,” he said.
Dr. Rowlett added, “This partnership aims to promote inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities while building capacity. We’re exploring opportunities to replicate the clinic model with other local healthcare partners.”
Looking forward
The MetroHealth Dental Sedation Clinic marks a significant improvement in providing accessible, high-quality dental care for individuals with developmental disabilities. The partnership between MetroHealth and Cuyahoga DD addresses critical barriers and sets a new standard for community dental care. This initiative underscores the importance of collaboration and commitment to improving health outcomes.
“Our partnership benefits all stakeholders, particularly the most vulnerable,” summarized Dr. Heintschel. Dr. Rowlett added, “This clinic is a step towards expanding access to essential healthcare services for individuals with developmental disabilities, crucial for their overall well-being.”
As the clinic grows, it promises to make a significant difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, ensuring they receive the comprehensive care they deserve.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the MetroHealth Dental Sedation Clinic at (216) 778-4725. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
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