Lisa Curbow, RDH, BAAS, CDP
Lisa Curbow, RDH, BAAS, CDP, is a compassionate dental hygienist whose interest in working with patients with disabilities was sparked by one of her own children who is on the autism spectrum. Having other family members with chronic illnesses has fueled her desire to be a more informed clinician for this patient population as well. Lisa has been dedicated to providing dental care to patients with both intellectual disabilities and chronic illnesses for much of her career. In addition to dental hygiene, Lisa also serves as an office manager and hospital coordinator. Lisa is a member of the Special Care Dental Association, the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, and the International Association for Disability and Oral Health. She has an Associate of Arts in Biology, an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Tyler Junior College, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Organizational Leadership from Texas A&M Commerce. Lisa is a Certified Dementia Practitioner per the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. She is also an active community volunteer through various organizations. Through her work, Lisa has developed a deep understanding of the challenges patients with intellectual disabilities face when receiving dental care. She is always researching and looking for educational opportunities to expand her knowledge in the field of special needs patients, the general field of dentistry, and overall patient health. Lisa can be contacted at curbowrdh@gmail.com
Navigating Allodynia in the Dental Chair
Have you ever stepped outside into the cold weather and experienced an instant headache when the air hits your head? The sensation is similar to a sudden ice cream headache without the ice cream. Cold air typically does not cause headaches, so why did that happen?
Allodynia is a possible cause. Allodynia is nerve pain, usually severe, brought on by...
Familiarity With CDT Codes Is Not Just for the Front Desk Team
The American Dental Association’s current dental terminology (CDT) is the standard set of codes and nomenclature for dental procedures. When most dental clinicians think of coding for dental procedures, they automatically think of front desk duties. That’s not necessarily true, though.
As a dental assistant over 25 years ago, I knew nothing about CDT codes. I had no idea that...
Breaking Barriers: Teledentistry Expands Access to Care for Patients with Special Needs
Teledentistry has emerged in recent years as a transformative solution in dentistry. By utilizing telecommunication technology, this innovative approach has the potential to assist with oral health services for patients, including those with special needs. With its ability to overcome geographical barriers, enhance access to care, and improve oral health outcomes, teledentistry has become a helpful tool in supporting...
Dental Care for Patients with Autism: Strategies for Home and Office Care
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication and social interaction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 36 children in the United States was diagnosed with ASD in 2020.1 That is an increase from one in 54 in 2016 (see Figure 1).
Diagnostic Year
Prevalence
One in X children
2020
One in 36
2018
One in 44
2016
One...