At this time, about 2 million adult Americans are affected by taste or smell disorders. Very little is known about these problems (see article). 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 Denis Lafreniere, M.D., otolaryngologist, and H. Charlie Lin, MSN, APRN, chemosensory testing. 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 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 860-679-2804, 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.