Welcome to the Smell & Taste Evaluation Center!
The Smell & Taste Evaluation Center provides comprehensive quantitative testing of the senses of taste and smell. It’s Director, Professor Richard L. Doty, BS, MA, PhD, FAAN, FCPP, is a world-renowned authority on these senses and will be working with you and your referring physician to address your problem.
As the previous Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Smell and Taste Center, Dr. Doty has over 40 years of experience working with patients with chemosensory disorders. He has developed the major tests used throughout the world for measuring smell and taste disorders and has published over 400 publications on these important senses.
The Center is the only one of its kind in the United States. It works with patients and their physicians to address the medical and psychological aspects of smell and taste loss or distortions. To make specialized chemosensory care more accessible, the Center now offers in addition to in-person assessments, telehealth evaluations using well-validated self-administered smell and taste tests. The results are discussed with the patient and shared with the patient’s physician with the goal of implementing treatments when possible.
Although most cases of smell and taste dysfunction are benign, research has established a significant connection between smell loss and numerous neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and COVID-19.
What to Expect During Your Clinic Visit:
1. Schedule Your Appointment: Once you decide to move forward with the evaluation, after receiving a referral from your doctor, please call 856-796-9177 to schedule your visit to the Clinic at a time that works best for you.
2. Testing and Evaluation: At your appointment, Dr. Doty will begin by having you complete a comprehensive health questionnaire. Following that, he will administer a series of specialized smell and taste tests (see the important Information section below for details) and carefully document the results.
3. Diagnostic Report and Follow-Up: After your evaluation, Dr. Doty will prepare a detailed diagnostic report, which will be shared with your healthcare team. He will also review the results with you by phone. If treatment options are available, they may be discussed at that time. Please note that depending on the nature of your condition, treatment options may be limited or unavailable.
Here's How Our Telemedicine Process Works:
1. Initial Evaluation Materials: Once you decide to pursue the evaluation with your doctor’s referral, we will send you a detailed health questionnaire and self-administered smell and taste tests [see Important Information section below].
2. Analysis and Consultation: After you complete the tests and return them to us using the pre-paid mail packet provided, we will analyze your results. We will schedule a 15-to-30-minute telehealth meeting with you via telephone or Zoom to discuss your findings and potential options.
3. Diagnostic Report: A diagnostic report from Dr. Doty will be sent to your healthcare team. They may discuss possible treatment options with you; however, depending on your specific case, available options may be limited or unavailable.
Important Information
- Purpose: Our evaluation services are designed to provide objective insight into the underlying causes of your taste and smell challenges.
- Time: Completing the questionnaire and tests will take approximately 90 minutes.
- Cost: Please note that the cost of this evaluation is not covered by insurance. You will be personally responsible for this payment, which can be made via credit card over the phone or by check through the mail. Evaluations for litigation purposes are person-to-person involve extended testing and additional costs. Attorneys should contact our patient coordinator (see below) for scheduling and information regarding the management of legal cases.
If you are interested in this service or require additional information, please contact our patient coordinator Ryan Sharetts at rsharetts@sensonics.com or 856-796-9177.
Our services do not guarantee successful treatments and are provided only through the referring physicians.