HOUSTON (AP) — Texas prison system officials are changing system policy to help fit toothless inmates with dentures.
The Houston Chronicle reports the change comes after its disclosure that Texas prison inmates without teeth were routinely denied dentures. The newspaper had reported that state prison policy had said chewing isn’t a medical necessity and that inmates could eat pureed food.
Dr. Lanette Linthicum, medical director for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, says the prison system wants to see more dentures prescribed.
The prison system also plans to review denture-related grievances made by inmates over the past year and re-evaluate those inmates who filed complaints. It also will hold training for prison unit dentists to clarify when dentures are necessary and empanel a review board to consider who needs dentures and who doesn’t.
Original story:
HOUSTON (AP) _ Inmates without teeth in Texas are routinely denied dentures because state prison policy says chewing isn’t a medical necessity and that they can eat blended food.
The Houston Chronicle reports that medical providers approved 71 dentures to a state prison population of more than 149,000 in 2016.
It’s a sharp decline from 15 years ago, when more than 1,000 dental prosthetics were approved. Many inmates are elderly, have a history of drug use or came from impoverished backgrounds with sub-par dental care.
State policy says inmates can’t get dentures unless they’re underweight or suffering from other medical complications.
Death row inmate Paul Devoe soaks crackers in coffee to eat them with his three remaining teeth. Devoe and other inmates have complained about bleeding gums, sore mouths, choking and being unable to eat.