The Practicon Viewpoint by Ann Page Griffin

SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS

A SHINING EXAMPLE OF EXQUISITE PATIENT SERVICE AND CARE

Almost every general dental practice treats a few patients with special needs—physical, developmental, mental, or emotional—and they do so quite well. Pediatric practices treat a greater number of special needs patients, and, in my experience, each dentist, pediatric or general, and team members who see these patients demonstrate extraordinary skill, patience, humor when appropriate, and just plain love.

Many pediatric practices with which I have consulted offer appointments on certain days each month to special needs patients so that the entire office can gear up to meet their needs. These special needs days are often fun, loud, challenging, rewarding, stimulating, exhausting, and cherished by the dentist, team members, patients themselves, and parents of patients who are free to chat, sharing their ideas, methods of coping, frustrations, blessings, and victories with other parents while in the reception area.

On one of the these appointment days in an office in which I was working, I met a mother of a special child who was eager to share her philosophy of parenting. On the spot, she gave me a copy of a poem she always carried with her, ready to cheer and to refocus herself or other special needs children's parents she met. Perhaps you or someone you know would like a copy of this touching verse.

Heaven's Special Child
by Edna Mazzimilla

A meeting was held quite far from earth;
It's time again for another birth.
Said the angel to the Lord above,
"This special child will need much love;
His progress may seem very slow;
Accomplishments he may not show;
And he'll require much extra care
From all the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play;
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find folks who will do
A special job just for You.

They may not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play;
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love;
And soon they'll know the privilege given
Of caring for a gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is Heaven's very special child.

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