March 30, 2001

Caring for 'the sickest of the sick'

Donald Huebener, D.D.S., has a special knack for treating children with special health care needs

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Donald Huebener, D.D.S., professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the School of Medicine, views a radiograph of a cleft palate shield with dental resident Adam DeCota, D.D.S.

Five-year-old Marina Hefner squeals and runs for a hug whenever she sees him. No, he's not a clown bearing balloons or Santa Claus. He is "Dr. Don" --also known as Donald Huebener, D.D.S., Marina's dentist.

So, how do you get a kindergartner to adore her dentist? According to Marina's mom, Paula, it takes a very special, caring person --especially when you're caring for a child born with a cleft lip and palate.

Huebener, professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the School of Medicine and director of pediatric dentistry at St. Louis Children's Hospital, specializes in treating kids with special health care needs. His patients include children with autism, cerebral palsy, cleft lip and palate, AIDS, cancer, heart defects and ectodermal dysplasia --just to name a few.

"We see kids who are the sickest of the sick," Huebener said. "They're burned out because they've already had so much done to them, so it's sometimes quite challenging to get them to cooperate. But it's very rewarding to promote and foster good oral health care in children."

Jeffrey Marsh, M.D., the Appoline Blair Professor of Surgery in the School of Medicine, said, "Dr. Huebener's dedication to task, service to the dental care of patients with special health care needs and commitment to academic work and international service make him unique among pediatric dentists."

An early interest

After high school, he stuck to his Catholic roots and attended Saint Louis University. He quickly decided he would funnel his interest in science into becoming a dentist. However, it was his intrigue with ancient history that led him to the Rome Center of Humanistic Studies in Italy during his junior year. "I'm very interested in ancient history, and this program was a wonderful opportunity to broaden my horizons and fulfill some of my other interests," he said.

Donald Huebener and good friend Elizabeth Drackett on their way to the plastic and reconstructive surgery residents' dinner last summer.

His trip was cut short, though, because he received early acceptance to the Washington University School of Dental Medicine. He quickly returned home to complete the remainder of his prerequisites.

Guided by a strong pediatric dental department, Huebener found himself most interested in working with kids as a dental student. His interest was molded by Patricia Parsons, D.D.S., professor of pediatric dentistry and department chair at the time. "Once she realized that I was very interested in children, I was assigned some of the kids with tougher, more complex medical and dental problems," Huebener said. "I loved the challenge."

Huebener graduated with his doctorate in dental surgery in 1969 and headed to the Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, part of the University Hospital of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University Medical Center, for his internship and residency and to earn his master's degree in science from the graduate school there. His experiences during graduate training at Rainbow guided him to his true passion: caring for children with special needs.

Back to his alma mater

Today the team, which takes a very multidisciplinary approach, is one of the leading programs in the country caring for patients from all over the United States with the most serious problems.

Since 1984, Huebener and Marsh have studied the effect of utilizing a small plastic appliance, similar to a retainer, in infants with cleft lip and palate. The appliance is placed into the cleft of the infant's mouth at the time of the first cleft surgery. Marsh does the surgery, and Huebener creates and inserts the appliance. "The appliance helps stabilize the back of the cleft palate area while allowing the front part to mold and contour to a more normal position," Huebener said.

While the team is working on long-term results, early indications look very promising. "It appears that if you don't use some kind of appliance, then you're going to get distortion," Huebener said. "Some of the kids in our study are now 16 years old, and they're doing great."

'Patients love him'

Paula Hefner recalled a night spent in the hospital following a surgery when Marina was four months old. "He came to our room, and he was just like a friend," Paula said. "I was scared, and he made me feel comfortable. He spent an inordinate amount of time with us --probably four hours."

Andrew Kim, D.M.D, an attending pediatric dentist, works with Huebener in the dental suite at St. Louis Children's Hospital. "His patients love him," Kim said. "He has a very loyal following --a lot of longtime patients. He keeps his families incredibly informed, and that makes them feel comfortable."

Richard Nissen, D.M.D., a Clayton orthodontist, highlighted Huebener's attention to detail. "He's one of the most meticulous people I know," Nissen said. "He's very exacting, and he really strives to give his patients the very best care."

Not all patients are as eager as Marina Hefner, though. Getting cooperation from some of Huebener's patients can prove to be more of a challenge.

Nissen, who also is a member of the cleft palate and craniofacial deformities team, said Huebener has a unique talent. "He has a very special knack to make young kids feel comfortable during stressful procedures," Nissen said.

Huebener and his staff use behavior management techniques to gain the trust of children. "We do a lot of 'tell, show and do' to persuade them," he said. "Patience is the pediatric dentist's middle name."

Huebener feels strongly that it is his job to educate parents and help them understand the importance of oral health care. For parents whose children are already undergoing a variety of other treatments, it's especially important to start them on the right track. "Oral health care is just as important as immunizations, follow-up visits to the newborn clinic and regular visits to the pediatrician," he said. "Oral health care is an integral part of the overall health care of children."

World traveler

A member of many professional organizations, Huebener recently completed a three-year term on the board of directors of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. In May, on the eve of his 30th anniversary at the University, he will become president of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

With his love for ancient history, Huebener has traveled the globe, studying and touring places like Luxor and The Valley of the Kings and Queens in Egypt, along with Delphi and Olympia in Greece. The Clayton resident is a collector of 18th and 19th century English paintings. The former president of the St. Louis Ski Club, Huebener cites Vail, Colo., as his favorite place to barrel down a mountain.

While Huebener does have many outside interests, it's quite apparent that his greatest passion is caring for children with special needs. "I love pediatric dentistry," he said. "Each child I care for makes a special impact."

And according to Marina Hefner, Dr. Don has made a special impact, too.