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Crowning Triumph
By Brian Falla/Daily News Staff, Thursday, September 14, 2006

Norwood—When a group of local dentists gathered six years ago to hold a free dental exam for senior citizens, it was a jaw-dropping experience.
 
A few open mouths led to the opening of many eyes, like those of Norwood dentist Stephen Stone, who immediately vowed to launch a dental health program.

“It was so glaring (that) there was a need—we knew after the first few patients,” he said.

“The need is very great,” agreed fellow Norwood dentist Mark Stone, who is unrelated to Stephen.  “It’s incredible—these people have broken teeth, serious gum disease.  They’re in chronic pain, they can’t eat.  There’s a huge need.”

The two helped from the Elder Dental Program, which started small with no funding and little fanfare.  But there have now been 10 free dental screenings around the region that have identified patients eligible to receive the program’s reduced cost care.

The Elder Dental Program charges seniors on a sliding scale based on their income.  On average, those patients pay about 20 percent of what they would otherwise be charged for their dental care.

Last year, the program received a boost in the form of a three-year $325,000 grant.

The program is now supported by more than two dozen dentists from around the region, and has paid a director to organize the program.  To date, 267 senior citizens have been through the program, 87 percent of whom do not have dental insurance and more than 14 percent of whom needed immediate tooth extractions.  Additionally, 32 percent have untreated tooth decay, 21 percent are in pain, and 7 percent have suspicious lesions that require a biopsy.

Stephen Stone said as shocking as the statistics are, there are many reasons why some senior citizens have dental problems.

For starters, dental work is expensive, especially for senior citizens on fixed incomes who are coping with the rising cost of living, medications and health insurance.  To compound the problems, Stephen Stone said, many senior citizens are on medications that have side effects such as dry mouth.

“Saliva has proteins that kill bacteria, so when you lose that, your whole system can go bonkers,” said Stephen Stone.

The average tooth crown these days, said Stephen Stone, costs $975 to $1,150.  Elder Dental Program patients pay considerable less than that.

“We charge them something, mostly for their dignity—they don’t want to be handed anything,” said Stephen Stone.  “We’re losing money on the deal, but that’s not the point—the point is to help people.

 “It’s labor of love, said Mark Stone.

Gwen Stewart now runs the program, screens applicants and sets up appointments, leaving the dentists to concentrate on their own practices and see their elderly patients in their own offices.

Stewart said yesterday the program is being funded by the Oral Health Foundation with the hope that it will become fully established and get permanent funding.

“I’m sure they would help us expand, but the idea is that we’re supposed to get other sources of funding,” said Stewart, who estimates the program has provided more than $10,000 of work.

The next screening will be held in November in Dedham.  Stephen Stone said the location and time will be announced, but he expects word to get out through the local Council on Aging groups.

“They’ve been very helpful getting the word out,” Stone said.

Stone is hoping word of mouth spreads, enabling the program to allow more seniors to enjoy healthier teeth.

Reporter Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.

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