From
The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, Calif. In the picture, Ellie Kheirkhahi-Love, D.D.S, M.S.D., prepares Kevin Benson for a dental X-ray at Advanced Periodontics Implant Center in Rancho Mirage. Benson is developmentally disabled. Medi-Cal ended its coverage of dental services last year, including dental benefits to developmentally disabled people.
In the past, when Kevin Benson had to have dental work done, such as he did on Saturday, the work would have been paid for by Medi-Cal.
But since Benson, 40, is an adult who happens to have mild mental retardation, his dental benefits are no longer covered.
On July 1, 2009, the state of California cut Medi-Cal coverage for dental services to all people 21 and older. This includes the developmentally disabled.
Benson's parents had to pay the $3,000 bill for his procedure themselves.
“Fortunately, we could afford it. What about the people who can't?” said Marianne Benson, Kevin Benson's mother.
Marianne and her husband Russell Benson decided to do something for those in need.
In September, the couple established the nonprofit organization Desert Friends of the Developmentally Disabled.
On Saturday, the Bensons organized a group of six residents with Ronald McDonald House in Cathedral City to have a dental screening with Dr. Ellie Kheirkhahi-Love.
Without proper care, patients can suffer from abscesses that can cause infection, Love said.
If untreated, such dental hazards can cause problems throughout a patient's entire body, she said.
Some of the patients screened Saturday had several teeth missing, others had no top teeth at all.
“This is the state's dental care system. They don't fill teeth; they pull 'em. Now there's no program at all. So by the time you're 45, you're eating baby food,” Russell Benson said.
Kheirkhahi-Love and her staff volunteered their time for the screenings.
After their screenings the patients hugged Kheirkhahi-Love, smiled and looked at their X-rays with her. Each of them will be referred to other participating local dentists who will provide their services free of charge.
“We always wanted to do something and help the community,” Kheirkhahi-Love said.
From The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, Calif. In the picture, Ellie Kheirkhahi-Love, D.D.S, M.S.D., prepares Kevin Benson for a dental X-ray at Advanced Periodontics Implant Center in Rancho Mirage. Benson is developmentally disabled. Medi-Cal ended its coverage of dental services last year, including dental benefits to developmentally disabled people.
