OHP Success Story – Fall 2014

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world”

Christopher, an avid gamer and father of two, has been a lifelong resident of Oregon and resides in the Willamette Valley area. Until recently he had been struggling to access dental care.

When he was 23, Christopher was in an automobile accident that paralyzed him from the chest down. Osteoporosis has also compromised his bone health and he has to be very careful when being transported anywhere. Obtaining any kind of medical or dental treatment has been nearly impossible because many offices are unable to accommodate a stretcher.

Christopher’s family spent years looking for a dentist that would be able to see him in the home setting. Upon finding Dr. Jim Hales, his mother was absolutely thrilled. Throughout his career, Dr. Hales has treated countless patients in a variety of complex circum-stances to meet their needs. He met with Christopher and was able to treat him in the comfort of his bed. Using a portable x-ray unit, Dr. Hales was able to accurately assess the condition of Christopher’s oral health. He performed a cleaning as well as completing two fillings.

Christopher and his family were incredibly thankful for the services that were provided by Dr. Hales, saying, “It was a true blessing. They are such nice people.”

The dental care benefits made possible through Oregon Health Plan and providers like Dr. Hales allow thousands of patients like Christopher to receive quality oral health care. The Exceptional Needs Dental Services (E.N.D.S.) program integrates providers from Portland to Medford, including some coastal areas to better accomplish the goal of bringing dental care to those that need it most.