SA dental clinic aims to make it easier for people with disability to access treatment

A specialised dental clinic is providing autism-friendly treatment with the option of general anaesthetic and in-home care.

Transcript

00:00Dr Trudy Lin is on a mission, one she hopes will lead to meaningful industry-wide change.

00:09Our mission can be encapsulated in one word, inclusion.

00:13The former Young South Australian of the Year has dedicated her career to patients with

00:18disabilities.

00:19She's now opening a unique clinic where a full suite of dental services are available

00:25with the option of anaesthetic.

00:27In-home visits are also on offer thanks to a state government funded mobile dental kit.

00:33We strongly believe that access to oral health care is a human right and it's something that

00:39people with autism and people with disability have missed out on until this stage.

00:43And so we're really happy to be part of the solution.

00:46For her patients, it's a game changer.

00:49If it wasn't for Trudy, we wouldn't be a happy family right now.

00:53After recent surgery on his wisdom teeth, Helen's son Jacob has a reason to smile again.

00:59The 20-year-old, who is non-verbal, had endured months of excruciating pain which led to extreme

01:06behavioural changes and even seizures.

01:09Despite several traumatic hospital visits, doctors couldn't diagnose the problem.

01:14I knew there was something really, really wrong with him.

01:18I needed to trust my gut instinct.

01:21Helen didn't give up and eventually found Dr Lynn.

01:25Her inclusive approach put Jacob at ease, allowing her to examine his mouth on their first visit.

01:32Straight away she said, I know what the issue is.

01:36That moment I just think I burst into tears.

01:39After months of hardship, the problem was fixed in a matter of days.

01:44Just seeing him today, just bubbling in and smiling with joy, he actually initiated, he

01:49walked up and gave her a hug.

01:51He doesn't do that just with anyone.

01:52The extra mile to put a smile on everyone's face.