An exceptional dentist

If you use an AAC device, it is important that you take it with you everywhere.

Today Jess had a dental checkup. Pretty straight forward. We arrived, we met our team and they efficiently did their job. As we were leaving, we saw Dr. Brunsden and he immediately came over to say hello.  Then he noticed Jess’s AAC device.  He called over the team. He wanted them to know that this was an iPad that helped Jess talk.  He explained how many of their patients, especially those on the autism spectrum used such devices. Immediately, he realized that he had not seen the app Speak for Yourself before and he wanted to know more. I gave them all a 5-8 minute overview and then gave them her card.   It’s always exciting for me to meet people that are genuinely interested.

As I went to link Kidzdent, I read this about Dr. Brunsden:

Dr. Brunsden was formerly an elementary school teacher and assistant principal. He completed his dental degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where he graduated as a member of OKU, the national dental honor society.After a two-year pediatric dental residency at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center in New York, he joined our community a pediatric dentist in 1981. He founded KidZdent with his wife and partner, Dr. Nancy Villa, in 1985.

Now it all makes sense.  Dr. Brunsden isn’t just a doctor, but a teacher too!  I love the fact that he wanted to educate his staff.  Every time someone learns about AAC, our world gets bigger.

Why is it that dentists ask you questions when your mouth is pried open?  Do they expect you to answer?  In Jess’s case, she doesn’t have access to her talker while undergoing treatment. Her body is snugly wrapped by Velcro to help keep her wiggly, giggly self still.   Even though she isn’t able to talk at that moment, her talker is still making an impression.