OHP Success Story – Autumn 2019

Exceptional Needs Dental Services (ENDS) provides dental care access to individuals with exceptional needs, serving those who are functionally impaired, requiring assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and are unable to obtain treatment in a traditional office setting. Dr. James P. Hayden, Jr., has been delivering mobile dental care through the ENDS program for over twenty-four years.

ENDS contracts with over twenty providers to deliver mobile dentistry services to Oregonians residing in long-term care facilities throughout western Oregon, including the Portland Metropolitan Area, the Mid-Valley, and Southern Oregon. Dr. Hayden sees all of ENDS’ special needs patients throughout the entire Mid-Valley, from Newberg to Eugene, along the coast, and everywhere in between.

Many of Dr. Hayden’s patients, their families, caregivers, and other support staff have spoken highly about the service he delivers. “I can’t imagine many people that would take on what he does.” One of the biggest things they appreciate is his promptness. “He is quick to respond with a friendly attitude to patients in pain and will phone in prescriptions on the weekend, if the need arises.”

Caregivers have also told us that after an unsuccessful visit in a traditional office, some patients feel discouraged. Fortunately, Dr. Hayden’s experience working with patients who have advanced dementia have taught him how to perform exams when even patients’ family members did not think it possible. “We don’t know what our residents would do without his services, because they can’t go out to see a dentist.” ENDS would like to take this time to honor and thank Dr. Hayden for his many years of hard work and dedication. 

The ENDS program is a partnership established by four Oregon dental care organizations:

Capitol Dental Care
CareOregon Dental
Managed Dental Care of Oregon
Willamette Dental

The ENDS Program connects providers, like Dr. Hayden, throughout Oregon to those that need it most through the dental care benefits made possible through Oregon Health Plan.