Tim, age 54, lives in a group home due to physical disabilities and intellectual impairment. He loves tuning his radio between stations, sitting on his deck during sunny days, and going for rides through the Gorge and to the coast in his van. He’s a fun-loving, mischievous person who enjoys the company of outgoing and friendly people.

Since Tim is non-verbal and has mobility challenges, he depends on the people who support him to communicate his wants and needs, including his dental care treatment. For any dental work beyond teeth brushing and routine examinations, Tim needs to be fully sedated.

Tim first started seeing Exceptional Needs Dental Services (ENDS) mobile and hospital dentist Dr. John Aspros about eighteen years ago while living in a group home in Oregon City. Since Tim has known Dr. Aspros for so long, he is very comfortable letting him look in his mouth for dental exams. When Tim moved from Oregon City across town in 2017, Dr. Aspros continued to come to his home to provide his dental care. Over the years, Dr. Aspros has repeatedly gone above and beyond to make sure that Tim is being cared for.

Without providers like Dr. Aspros, Tim would have a much harder time receiving dental care – if at all – and would possibly no longer be able to enjoy many of the foods he loves so much.

Because of the dental care benefits made possible by Oregon Health Plan (OHP), and the ENDS program, Tim is having his dental needs met and couldn’t be happier.

The ENDS program is a partnership established by these Oregon Dental Care Organizations:

• Capitol Dental Care
• CareOregon Dental