Number 2: We are gentle! The most important issue in our approach to dentistry is gentleness. The main factor is taking time to be gentle and careful. Were not under any constraints to rush through a certain quota of patients in order to meet our production goal. We like to take our time, do a terrific job on your teeth, and get to know you as a patient and as a friend. Its important that you, as the client, have the ultimate decision to choose to (1) do nothing, (2) to do some of the dentistry we recommend, or (3) to complete all of the fine dentistry that we feel is ideal for you!
Q: David, I know you are happily married and a father of three. I assume my next question is one, you have asked yourself a few times over the years. Many children are frightened to go to the dentist. What should parents do to reduce the anxiety and the fear in their kids?
My best advice is very simple: Dont wait until it hurts! in other words, bring children for preventive care, let them experience a visit to the dentist as something positive, non-threatening and even humorous or entertaining. Try, under all circumstances, to be positive about it. Under no circumstances relate to your own experiences as painful, hurting or even nightmarish.
Q: Thats a good point right there, David. Its not only the children that are afraid of the visit to the dentist. There are many adults that freak just thinking about it. How does your practice deal with fear in adult patients?
First of all my staff has received specialized training for situations like the one you described. We are prepared to treat patients, adult or juvenile, with any fear level. The main tools we use to overcome these fears are different sedation methods, reducing anxiety and limiting pain to a point where the patient may not even remember going to the dentist. We have pills that the patient can take while the are still at home and this will help to get him through the door.
We can follow up with conscious sedation methods that are safe and very effective and oftentimes help patients to overcome their anxieties for good. We had one patient who used the full anxiety package once and decided after that, that visiting the dentist wasnt half as bad as she thought. She never needed any special sedation again.
Preventive dentistry is not costly. Just look at our EasySmile program. Get all the preventive treatments for a year, for less than a cup of coffee a day. Thats a small price to pay knowing you can avoid high bills and unforeseen problems in the future. Its sad to see that some people invest more money in having their car detailed than into their dental hygiene and prevention.
Well, what you see on TV is usually the top of the line, A+ treatment. In a poker round you would say: Im all in! That being said, targeted dental makeovers are a viable option for many patients, because they can make a big difference in the life of the individual person. If you look into cosmetic procedures like veneers, bleaching or orthodontics there are numerous financing options available that allow almost everyone to pursue this route.
Q: You told us about your love for dentistry. Heres a follow-up question for you. If you could take some time off to learn something new in the field of dentistry, what topic would you like to pursue?
I know youll laugh when I tell you its such a clich. I love to play golf. But I played golf even before I became a dentist. I actually thought at one time I could become a pro, but after Tiger Woods entered the game I decided to follow my moms advice (laughs).