MEMBER FOCUS: A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health Special Needs Clinic Builds Trust With Patients, Opportunities for Students

“Will you hold my hand?” asks a longtime patient who has been receiving oral health care from Paul Bigg, D.M.D., A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) Assistant Professor and Director of the Special Care Unit of Special Needs Dentistry.

“Of course, I will,” Dr. Bigg replies, having earned the trust of his special needs patient and the patient’s guardian after multiple clinic visits to fulfill the extensive needs of the patient.

This sensitive exchange is common at the St. Louis Dental Center, operated by ATSU-MOSDOH in partnership with Affinia Healthcare. As a federally qualified health center, a full range of oral health care services are provided to underserved populations, including comprehensive special care dentistry for patients with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities and other special health care needs, as well as immuno-compromised patients.

Dr. Bigg leads the effort to ensure people receive the best possible special needs dental care at ATSU-MOSDOH. Third- and fourth-year dental students benefit from Dr. Bigg’s comprehensive oral health care curriculum that educates the next generation of dentists. It can be a significant challenge for dentists to help patients with disabilities and special needs, especially those with severe disabilities who may refuse to open their mouth for any length of time or at all.

“The special needs dentistry program has provided great learning opportunities and valuable experiences to young dental students, as well as the assistants, auxiliaries and staff who work closely with families of people with special needs,” added Karl E. Shanker, D.D.S., FICD, ATSU-MOSDOH Assistant Professor of Clinical General Dentistry, who was the founding faculty member and the inaugural Director of Special Care Dentistry. “Our approach not only improves patient cooperation but also leads to better oral health outcomes and overall well-being.” 

Karl E. Shanker, D.D.S., FICD, ATSU-MOSDOH Assistant Professor of Clinical General Dentistry and the founding faculty member and inaugural Director of Special Care Dentistry, chatting with a patient at the St. Louis Dental Center.

When general anesthesia is required for a particular patient, Dr. Bigg and his team continue their care in the operating room at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, thanks to a collaboration with the hospital and the Washington University School of Medicine. As a result, patients have access to much-needed dental care at an affordable cost and close to home.

Kimberly Koors, D.M.D., is a 2024 ATSU-MOSDOH graduate who was inspired by Dr. Bigg and benefitted from his knowledge, experience, compassion and sensitivity. During a third-year student project, Dr. Koors and a group of her fellow students developed guides to inform people with special needs and their caretakers about common dental pathologies and oral hygiene instructions. They visited the Special School District of St. Louis and presented educational pamphlets to children and teachers in a number of schools.

“The entire ATSU-MOSDOH experience aligned with my very favorite annual event, the Special Olympics. Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and beginning at the age of eight, I enthusiastically volunteered to help special needs children. I was so impacted by the Special Olympics because of the sense of community it brought, and I felt so fulfilled to help others in our community. Everyone is appreciative and happy at these events, which makes it so rewarding whenever I’m able to integrate my career in dentistry to helping their oral health,” said Dr. Koors.

Because of her passion, experience and skills, Dr. Koors currently serves as an ATSU-MOSDOH adjunct faculty member at the St. Louis Dental Center who sees patients and mentors current third- and fourth-year students. Her commitment to dentistry involves helping all individuals feel comfortable and confident. She, too, smiles when talking about the work she does.

“Now I am providing the oral screenings, educating patients about oral health, helping patients get out of pain through dental extractions and creating new-found confidence and smiles on their faces,” added Dr. Koors. “It’s just so rewarding.”

Courtesy of A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health