I remember the date well. I had been out of dental school two years, had been in Rowley one year, and the February 1997 issue of Reader’s Digest hit the stands. The front cover read “EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION: How Dentists Rip Us Off “. Not only that, it was delivered to my office and was sitting in my reception area.
I immediately read the article to make sure I was aware of the contents. Inside, was the all too-familiar graphic depiction of a dentist menacingly hovering over a patient with the dreaded drill in hand. Add to that picture an accumulation of non-complimentary adjectives about dentists. By the author’s skillful manipulation of words, variations in… (Read More)
The Dental Scam
March 4, 2011
Don’t Eat Your Denture Paste
February 24, 2011
The story begins when a healthy 63-year-old Miami man began having trouble walking. Within months, he was paralyzed below the waist and confined to a wheelchair. He was unable to move his limbs and, eventually, unable to get out of bed. His condition worsened and his paralysis extended to his diaphragm, which ultimately led to his death. What led to his symptoms and eventual death? ……his denture adhesive, Poligrip.
Just months after his death, a groundbreaking study published in the medical journal Neurology established a connection between the zinc found in popular denture adhesives brands and serious nerve damage. The study showed that patients who used heavy amounts of denture cream suffered zinc overload,… (Read More)
There Are No Two Dental Practices Alike
No two dental practices are alike! Each takes on the characteristics of the practitioner who owns it. The personality of the owner is probably the key to how that office “feels” when you walk in the door. Some practices may feel “clinical and efficient”, while others feel somewhat more home spun and laid back. The dentist’s personality is reflected in his or her treatment preferences as well. The fact that different dentists will suggest different plans to treat your condition does not necessarily mean that one plan is better than another.
In my experience, all dentists will suggest what they feel to be the very best plan for any given patient. The differences between… (Read More)
But I Have Insurance
February 11, 2011
I had a reader e-mail me an insurance related question this past week and wanted answer that question as well as a couple of other insurance related issues.
Patients will sometimes balk at treatment not covered by their dental insurance. Dentists will often hear, “Just do what my insurance covers. I don’t want anything extra.” In fact, a recent ADA poll showed that a lack of dental insurance was the No. 1 reason most patients gave for not visiting a dentist. So, here are some frequent questions patients often ask about dental insurance.
Why doesn’t my insurance cover all of the costs for my dental treatment?
Dental insurance isn’t really insurance (defined as a… (Read More)
The Silent Epidemic
February 8, 2011
With more than 24 million diabetics and 57 million pre-diabetics in the United States, nearly a quarter of the nation’s population, there are a lot of people affected by diabetes. The most up to date research shows the connection between dental health and diabetes has never been more critical.
As an indication of our general health, the rapidly rising rate of diabetes should be ringing alarm bells everywhere. The litany of health implications from diabetes is a long and grisly list. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. That is probably vastly understated because as many as 65% of deaths from diabetes are attributed to heart attack and stroke. People… (Read More)
Dangerous Sleep – Part 1
January 21, 2011
Why is a dentist writing about sleep problems? More and more dentists are getting training in this area of medicine because they can be a help in the treatment of some of the problems associated with sleep-related issues. There also seems to be a large part of the population who are un-diagnosed or are diagnosed but have issues with treatment modalities they are using.
What is sleep apnea? It is a serious, potentially life-threatening sleep disorder that affects approximately 18 million Americans. It comes from the Greek meaning of apnea which means “want of breath”. People with sleep apnea have episodes in which they stop breathing for 10 seconds or more during sleep. Since… (Read More)
A Couple of Keys to Success
January 4, 2011
I hope you had the chance to read my last column. I submit it to be printed every year because I think it is an excellent reminder of things to think about at the end of a year in preparation to make the next year a better year. If you missed it, you can view my blog at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com.
No matter what profession you are in, including domestic engineer, the most important key to success is to be principled. Those who follow indisputable and grounded principles are much more likely to achieve successful outcomes and realize satisfaction from a job well done.
However, change is inevitable. And, change is not always easy. Let… (Read More)
21 Suggestions for Success
December 29, 2010
Each year I submit this column for publication at this time of year for the benefit of those who have not seen it and as a reminder to those who have.
These 21 suggestions for success are authored by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. I have a framed picture of these hanging in my office and read them every day. I get comments about them all the time from people saying how much they like them. Cut this column out, hang it on your refrigerator and read it frequently.
1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
2. Work at something you enjoy and that’s… (Read More)
What Fluoride is Right for You?
December 22, 2010
I received a very nice letter from Joe in Amesbury a couple of weeks ago regarding one of my columns. In addition, Joe shared some information about a fluoridation issue in Amesbury as well as what he has done to combat the problem. I would like to share some of this information as well as add some comments on community water fluoridation.
One of Joe’s concerns was Amesbury’s decision to stop fluoridating the town’s water supply due to “concern for the quality of the fluoride that was being purchased from China”. Why the fluoride was being purchased from China is a topic for a different discussion.
Because of this decision by Amesbury, Joe… (Read More)
Facts You Should Know – Part 2
December 16, 2010
This week is a continuation from last week’s column on facts you should know if you are having any dental work done other than a simple filling.
STAINS and COLOR CHANGES: All dental restorative materials can stain. The amount of stain generally depends on oral hygiene as well as the consumption of coffee, tea, tobacco, and some types of foods or medicines. Dental porcelain usually stains less than natural tooth enamel, and the stain can be removed at dental hygiene cleaning appointments. Natural teeth tend to darken with time more-so than porcelain crowns. At the time a new dental porcelain crown or fixed bridge is placed, it may be an excellent color match with… (Read More)