Unlocking Smiles: The Quest for Dental Care for Special-Needs Students
(WJAR) — Sometimes, a single phone call can spark a wave of change that transforms a life forever.
Alison Bologna experienced just that with her compelling Ask Alison series. It all began when an urgent call came from a dedicated teacher, striving to help a special-needs student urgently in need of dental care.
For seven long months, Bologna embarked on a mission—not just to assist one remarkable boy, but to shine a light on a pervasive systemic issue. This is the story of Nolan—a tale that will tug at your heartstrings. Welcome to Part 1.
“Hi Alison, I’m Trecia Pimer, a special educator in Westerly,” the call began, setting the stage for a powerful journey.
That call led Bologna to meet Nolan Gingerella, a true survivor born in Westerly.
“He’s a miracle, considering all he’s been through,” said his mother, Dana Gingerella, with a proud yet pained heart.
“Does he like the Celtics?” Alison asked, hoping to find a glimmer of joy.
“He loves the Celtics, especially now. Especially now,” his mother replied, a hint of brightness piercing through the clouds of their situation.
From the moment Nolan entered the world via C-section, his mother knew his path would be anything but easy.
“Right after my surgery, they rushed him into surgery,” she shared, reflecting on the chaos of that day.
Doctors quickly diagnosed Nolan with Encephalitis, leading to brain inflammation that has since resulted in a lifelong battle with a seizure disorder, managed through a cocktail of medications. But that’s not all—his struggles don’t stop there.
“He doesn’t talk. He suffers from seizures, and he’s in pain,” Dana explained, her voice trembling with sorrow.
“He’s in pain right now because he has two teeth that need to be extracted, and finding a dentist willing to help has been incredibly challenging,” she continued.
As they spoke, Nolan instinctively stuck his fingers in his mouth, a signal of his distress.
“We’ve learned that when he does this, it means he’s in severe pain,” said his mother, heartbroken.
When asked how many dentists she had reached out to in the past month, Dana didn’t hesitate for a second.
“At least 20,” she replied, her frustration palpable.
It felt as if she were begging for help, and she wasn’t alone. Nolan has a robust support system— advocates like his teacher, Trecia, who reached out to Ask Alison on his behalf.
“We’re facing a crisis with dental care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and I believe you’re the person who can help,” Trecia expressed in her heartfelt call to Bologna.
In a meeting with Bologna, Trecia elaborated, “Our team recognizes this as a capacity issue; there’s a significant lack of resources for medically complex patients needing dental care.”
Bologna visited a Rhode Island clinic known for working with special-needs patients to share Nolan’s plight, only to discover this issue was far from isolated.
“I told you about 20-year-old Nolan who desperately needs tooth extractions. Is he the only one?” Bologna inquired.
“Not at all. We receive nearly 100 patient referrals every week,” Dr. Elizabeth Benz replied, highlighting the scale of the problem.
When pressed about solutions, Dr. Benz stated, “We urgently need more facilities and dentists who specialize in this essential area of care. Right now, we’re essentially the only clinic equipped to support these patients.”
As mothers and teachers like Dana and Trecia continue their uphill battle, patients like Nolan endure unnecessary suffering.
“Do you think sharing this story will lead to someone stepping up to help?” Bologna asked hopefully.
“I genuinely hope so. We’ve collaborated with some incredible individuals eager to make a difference, so I believe that if this story resonates, it could spark a collective effort in Rhode Island,” Trecia replied, optimism breaking through the despair.
Stay tuned for the upcoming parts of this series, where Bologna converses with those at the Samuel Sinclair Dental Center in Providence—the only facility in Rhode Island equipped to handle cases like Nolan’s.
What does it take for Nolan and other special-needs patients to receive care? The odds, as Bologna found, are stacked against them.
