Byrne, John E.

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The Linacre QuarterlyVolume 32 | Number 4 Article 1011-1-1965Health Care of Religious: Physical ExaminationProgram Provided by the St. Louis CatholicPhysicians' GuildJohn E. ByrneFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnqPart of the Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, and the Medicine and Health SciencesCommonsRecommended CitationByrne, John E. (1965) "Health Care of Religious: Physical Examination Program Provided by the St. Louis Catholic Physicians'Guild," The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 32 : No. 4 , Article 10.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq/vol32/iss4/10Health Care of Religious Program .... The Dentist's Y wpoint ' (Opinions based on a pilot survey and on past experiences with reli­gious dental patients.) The dental profession is primarily concerned with the alleviation of pain of dental origin. However, only through the examination and educa­tion of the patient can the correction or the prevention of "dental break­down" be achieved. This pilot survey conducted in St. Louis during several examina­tions of some I800 religious patients resulted in a better than average classification. However, the ideal patient will not always be examined. In this particular survey, the re­ligious either volunteered on their own, or participated at the sugges­tion of the Reverend Mother who had the initiative and concern to be heal th-conscious. An interesting observation was the number of immediate superiors among the patients. This is a healthy sign to the dentist because the local or immediate superior can influence the attitude of her subjects. If Rever­end Mother is not health-conscious, or if she herself is afraid of the den­tist and converses in the negative, The authors of the above are members of the St. Apollo�ia Guild of St. Louis. 322 her children will tenc same trend of thoug. tions about a healfr. can be a figment of th the need for dental course, can become a p crutch, which when le change from "dentistr: · to "the lack of dentistr expensive and more pa: of the body includes t1 There is no criterion tenance of dental he dental office (as in there is a necessary o\· sistants, equipment, re, last, the renumeration This should be in the of description, but in , it is the same procedu, follow the Hallucina­xamination nagination; 'atment, of �ho-somatic ·d upon can expensive" 'an be more ul." Health oral cavity. r the main· th. In the 2 hospital) head of as-drugs and, ) the DDS. •verse order e hospitals, . Dozens of persons see the pros pc·· ive patient before the physician or irgeon; �nd dozens of persons will s< the patient after the professional protocol of diagnosis, medication nd surgery, All personnel costs arc included in the statement. In corn,Jarison, the dental office is a comr:ete "dental hospital." There is one difference between the costs of hospital an<l dental care -to date there are no dental health care policies of note. However, there are health insurance policies which protect the hospital and set the fee LINACRE QUARTERLY for the physician. The dentists. a�­em t to render service unµer s1�1-:ar drcumstances without this pohcy. It is interesting to note :hat the religious orders labor to obtam v��­tions and to keep them happy. e individual sister is important, . not d bl and deserves guided expen a e . Th medical and dental attention. . e diocese in which she labors realizes her importance, especially now w�en competing in salaries for the . ay teacher. Yet her medical attention ma consist of an aspirin from �he inlrmary, and the dental attent10n may not even include a new tooth­brush issued regularly. As mentioned before, many of the patients examined were truly dental conscious, and the results observed were good. However, there . �ere some unfortunate geriatric rehg10�s patients who were wearing antl­q)lated dentures. When ql\estioned as to the duration of the dentlires, the answer of some "about fifteen to twenty years" was no surprise. Does this reflect on the conscience of the dental profession who may see some of these patients when they com­plain of sore gums, inability to chew, or is it the responsibility of t�e medical specialist who examines this type of patient for throat, head and NOVEMBER, 1965 neck syndromes after sister coura-geously opens her mouth adnd �m-. her en tures barrassmgly removes . h so that she doesn't drop them m t e doctor's lap. Is this patient on a special �iett She sit at the table, forcmg or mus h le and foods prepared for the a hearty? Dental attention cannot be com-pletely free of charge, but reasonhable . d ed on a t or-fees for services ren er , 1 bl ou h basis, would be a v_a ua e g mmunity· keepmg the asset to a co ' d he oral health standards high _an t k. within therr voca-sisters wor mg tional strata. 1 . we appreciate these In cone us10n, h f God We want to serve daug ters o . b 1 them as individual patients, ut ov� and faith without good dental wor is dead. Edward J. Hempstead, D.D.S. in consultation with: E. Cuddihee, D.D.S. P. Ebeling, D.D.S .J. Hickey, D.D.S. H. O'Keeffe, D.D.S. S. Pagano, D.O.S. 323 

Health Care of Religious: Physical Examination Program Provided by the St. Louis Catholic      Physicians\u27 Guild

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Health Care of Religious: Physical Examination Program Provided by the St. Louis Catholic Physicians\u27 Guild

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