Patient Care
Taste and Smell Clinic
At this time, about 2 million adult Americans are affected by taste or smell disorders. Very little is known about these problems (see article, PDF). Our Taste and Smell Clinic established in 1981
with funds from the National Institutes of Health, is one of
six such taste and smell research centers in the country and
the only one in New England.
Our Taste and Smell Clinic uses a multidisciplinary
approach to determine the etiology of a patient’s taste and
smell disorder. The team includes Dr. Norman Mann, Internist
and Medical Director of the Taste and Smell Clinic; Dr.
Denis Lafreniere, Otolaryngologist; Dr. Morven Barwick, Neurologist; and Dr. Joseph D’Ambrosio, Oral
Diagnostician. A complete evaluation for a typical patient
includes smell testing, taste testing, general medical
evaluation, ear, nose, and throat evaluation including
flexible nasopharyngoscopy, and neurological evaluation.
Evaluations may also include, as necessary: full laboratory
diagnostic services, tests of oral sensitivity, stimulated
salivary flow testing, allergy evaluation, oral diagnostic
evaluation, CT and/or MRI scans, salivary gland biopsy,
occupational medicine evaluation, and neuropsychological
evaluation. Clinics are held twice a month on Friday
mornings with taste and smell testing generally scheduled
for the day or two before. Treatment is offered when
appropriate.
If you wish to become a patient at the Taste and Smell
Clinic, filling out and returning the
Registration
Questionnaire (Word doc) is the first step. There are a number of
personal questions that are important in helping us
understand taste and smell problems. Whether or not you plan
to attend the Taste and Smell Clinic, the return of your
completed questionnaire would be appreciated. Your answers
will be valuable to current and future taste and smell
evaluation, treatment, and research efforts. This
information will remain strictly confidential.
If you have any questions, please call the Taste and
Smell Clinic office at 860-679-2459, and we will be
happy to help you. Once we have received your completed
questionnaire, and you are interested in being evaluated, we
will contact you to arrange an appointment. |
