By Annette Pinder
Going to the dentist is never anyone’s favorite pastime, and way too many people often avoid going to the dentist. In fact, research shows that only 65% of Americans visit the dentist regularly, leaving 35% who don’t. Who are these people?
A recent article in Medium Magazine by Imam Dental Care reports that many people are reluctant to go to a dental office for fear of contracting COVID or another illness. Others fear unpleasant past experiences during tooth extractions or other procedures. Some cite their inability to withstand the smell or sounds of a dental office, an inability to afford dental care, and a lack of time to get away from their daily responsibilities. Patients also say they are ashamed of the condition of their teeth due to not having seen a dentist in years.
Among the 35% of people who refrain from going to a dentist are those who are simply unable to leave their home due to physical or mental disability. That’s exactly where AccommoDental of Buffalo, founded by Dr. Ashleigh Maciejewski, is making a difference. One of Dr. Maciejewski’s first experiences as an at-home dentist was seeing Meghan, a young adult with autism who feared leaving her home. Through patience, perseverance, compassion, and after several visits, Dr. Maciejewski earned Meghan’s trust, which made it possible for her to receive the care she needed for her broken teeth and recurring infections. “I held her hand all the way through, and It was a rewarding experience,” says Dr. Maciejewski.
Dr. Maciejewski also recounts a patient with dementia who, despite not having any teeth, was experiencing significant mouth pain. The patient’s daughter, June, could not understand why her mother was in pain when she didn’t have any teeth. Upon examination, it was evident that June’s mom was wearing ill-fitting dentures that were cutting into her gums. A simple adjustment made all the difference in her quality of life. June felt terrible, thinking she had been a neglectful caretaker. However, Dr. Maciejewski says that nothing could be further from the truth. “Too often caretakers feel guilty, but the mouth is often the last thing people think about when caring for a patient with multiple illnesses.”
Is seeing Dr. Maciejewski like seeing any typical dentist? She explains that when she visits patients, with her mobile equipment in tow, she is able to perform routine dental care, such as exams, cleanings, fillings, dentures, extractions, Invisalign (teeth straightening), teeth whitening, and occlusal guards to alleviate teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Dr. Maciejewski is thrilled to provide much-needed essential dental care to the patients who need and want to receive her care in the comfort of their own homes, saying the experience has been gratifying. “I recently saw a woman who was unable to leave her home due to an autoimmune disorder. When I cleaned her teeth for the first time in about 30 years, she cried because she was so happy.”
Learn more about AccommoDental at www.accommodental.com. To make an appointment, call 716-525-8228.
