Joseph and Ahmed
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Joseph is a teenager who has cognitive and hearing disabilities. New and unfamiliar places and changes in his routine can be stressful. Loud noises, strong smells, bright lighting and different textures are also overwhelming.
For Joseph, a visit to the dentist can be an anxious and worrying time. He feels uncomfortable when the dentist gets up close to him. He is also hypersensitive to the surgical gloves that they wear. He refuses to let anyone place dental instruments in his mouth.
Joseph’s family believes the safest way for Joseph to get the care he needs is for him to be medically sedated first.
His father, Ahmed, explained that there are different ways this can happen. Local anaesthetic can be used to temporarily numb an area of Joseph’s mouth while he’s having a check-up.
General anaesthetic is another option. A combination of medications puts the patient in an unconscious state, ensuring they don’t wriggle or move around.
Joseph has accessed a free public dental service in the past. ‘However we were not particularly impressed with the quality and process so [we] chose to go privately’, said Ahmed.
Joseph now goes to a hospital where a dentist performs his check-ups, teeth cleaning and other procedures. The cost of the treatment is expensive. The total out-of-pocket expenses for a recent visit will be around $2,500.
Because of his age, Joseph could have qualified for a $1,000 government benefit towards his dental care. The Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) pays for check-ups, teeth cleaning, root canal work and tooth extraction for children. You can even choose to go to a private dentist if you would like.
But there are limits on how the money can be spent. The CDBS does not cover dental services provided by a hospital – whether private or public.
Ahmed says the scheme should be more accommodating towards children with disability. ‘It is challenging to understand why we cannot access the funding given [Joseph]’s circumstances.’
Ahmed says it is likely there are many young people like Joseph in a similar situation.
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.