I would like to discuss some situations I have had over the past week with a few new patients. The common theme with these patients was the idea of “patching” things vs. treating for predictable long-term success.
There are many different ways to “successfully” practice dentistry. Success as defined by Webster’s is, “a favorable or satisfactory outcome or result.” Success can also be short-term or long-term. In dentistry, short-term success can be anything from a day to a few years. If you have a front tooth break and the dentist fixes it but it breaks a week later, it was successful for a week. The patient usually doesn’t look at it as being successful… (Read More)
July 20, 2011
June 28, 2011
The Golden Years are much more “golden” if your teeth are in good shape. One of the most difficult areas I have had to address in my time as a dentist are issues concerning aging patients, specifically those who require assisted or nursing care.
Whether you are the one making decisions for someone else or you are older and can make your own decisions, it is easy to let home care and regular dental visits decrease as time goes on. Dental health needs to stay at the top of the priority list for many reasons. Quality of life and the link between oral health and systemic health are two big ones.
Patients I… (Read More)
June 21, 2011
Are you stressed out? It seems that stress levels in people are on the rise. We worry about school, work, finances, illness, children, relationships, and more. Some even worry about how much they worry. Not to add to your stress, but you should be aware that all that worrying could have a negative impact on not only your general health but also your oral health.
According to an article published last summer in the Journal of Periodontology, there is a strong relationship between stress and periodontal disease (gum disease). In addition to stress, other psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness, are linked to an increased likelihood of periodontal disease.
So how… (Read More)
June 7, 2011
I spent last week in Boston for the annual meeting of an organization I belong to called the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). It was a great meeting. In the four days I was there I took eight classes, went to a Red Sox game, did a Duck Boat tour, and had dinner in the North End. It was great to be a “tourist” in Boston. I learned more about the history of Boston and a great deal of information to be able to provide better care.
There are a wide variety of courses to take at a meeting like this. Most of them are obviously related to cosmetic-based dentistry, but there are… (Read More)
May 29, 2011
For the last couple of weeks we have been discussing an online column that was forwarded to me called “Is Your Dentist Ripping You Off?” If you missed any of the columns, be sure to look them up online. This week I wanted to discuss more of the comments readers made after the column was published.
Many of the comments are rants from obviously angry people. As I read through the 9 pages of comments, it is obvious that people are mad about the cost of dentistry and things in general. It is also obvious that many of the contributors have a very negative opinion of the profession. This is a disturbing trend.
… (Read More)
May 22, 2011
Last week I told you about an online column that was forwarded to me called “Is Your Dentist Ripping You Off?” Basically, the author was questioning why there can be such a discrepancy in fees or treatment plans between dentists. The author also gave suggestions on how to pick a dentist and did note, “Don’t select a dentist on price alone.”
This week I wanted to discuss some of the comments that readers made after the column was published. It is interesting to note that there were people on both sides of the debate. The first comment came from a dental assistant. She says, “It is fair to comparison shop but remember that cost… (Read More)
May 12, 2011
If you are an expert in a particular field it tends to mean you know quite a bit about that subject. It doesn’t mean you are always right, but you can usually at least have an intelligent conversation about your field. When a “journalist” writes a story about your area of expertise, I would be willing to bet, the expert (you), often cringes about the content. So goes the latest thing I have seen written about dentists and dentistry.
“Is Your Dentist Ripping You Off?” is the title of an online column that was forwarded to me. One of the best parts of this type of column are the comments to follow from such… (Read More)
May 9, 2011
If you have kids and you take them to the dentist, I am sure you have heard about sealants. I don’t know what the statistics are, but I would assume that most dentists recommended dental sealants. In case you are unaware, a dental sealant is a flowable resin generally placed on permanent 6 and 12-year molars. It is placed on the top of the tooth in the grooves of the teeth. Its purpose is to help prevent decay from forming in this area, which happens to be the most common place for dental decay to occur. It does nothing in the prevention of decay between teeth or on any of the other 20 teeth in… (Read More)
May 3, 2011
Orofacial pain includes a number of clinical problems involving the chewing (masticatory) muscles or temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Problems can include TMJ discomfort; muscle spasms in the head, neck or jaw; migraines, cluster or frequent headaches; pain with the teeth, face or jaw; or anxiety or depression.
You swallow approximately 2,000 times per day, which causes the upper and lower teeth to come together and push against the skull. People who have an unstable bite, missing teeth, or poorly aligned teeth can have trouble because the muscles work harder to bring the teeth together, causing strain. People with seemingly good teeth/bite are also susceptible. Pain can also be caused by clenching or grinding teeth, trauma… (Read More)
April 20, 2011
In the 15 years I have been in Rowley, there has not been one time when I have wished I lived anywhere else. My wife is from Indiana, and every time we go out there to visit, the scenery has changed. The population has grown tremendously over the 20+ years I have been going out there. And the stores……you would not believe the amount of shopping plazas there are. I always wonder how so many stores can survive with all of their surrounding competition. Everything is new, there are tons of golf courses, the church is much more active, etc. However, I still always love coming back to this area and wouldn’t want to live… (Read More)