DENTIST
SHARED TIP
WHEN I WALK IN THE ROOM TO CHECK A PATIENT WHO JUST HAD THEIR TEETH CLEANED, more often than not the hygienist tells me that the patient is doing “really well but could do a better job flossing.” Most of our patients, as is common in dental offices around the world, do a great job brushing, but their flossing habits could use a little help. Sometimes it’s the technique, but more often than not it’s simply the frequency that needs improvement. When patients are having a problem working flossing into their routine, I recommend that they stash floss in places like their purse, wallet, nightstand, and their drawer at work. This way, when going about their day, they come across the floss, and then they floss! Whether it’s after reaching for lip balm in your purse, searching for something in your wallet, or at your desk (don’t let your boss catch you!), flossing at any time is better than not flossing at all.
HOW DO YOU EDUCATE YOUR CLIENTS TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEMSELVES?
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR PRACTICE?
“We use all sorts of tools to educate our patients. Having the right technologies can really make a difference in being able to show a patient what a tooth looks like up close, or to magnify an X-ray so a patient can understand what decay looks like. I also like to use methods that patients can use at home. I see part of my role as a dentist being one in which I can clarify things for my patients and provide them with accurate information as it pertains to their teeth.”
“Withers Dental sees excellence as a starting point, not an endgame. We are always improving, and that’s simply the standard we hold ourselves to. Each day we’re looking for ways to improve how we treat our patients—from how the front desk bills insurance and reminds patients about their appointments to the instruments and techniques used in the treatment rooms. Through evaluation, constant communication, and always continuing our education, we are able to get better at what we do every day. Yes, even Dr. Withers, Sr., with his 47 years of experience, finds ways to step up his game while serving as a seasoned mentor and example to us all.”
RECOMMENDED
ANTI-CAVITY TOOTHPASTE
For the past year or so, our practice has been recommending to our patients a product by 3M called Clinpro 5000. It’s meant to replace your regular toothpaste and has prescription-strength fluoride, as well as Tri-Calcium Phosphate (TCP). We used to give patients a tube of MI paste to deliver the TCP, but we found that very few patients found a way to work it into their oral health routine. By having it in the toothpaste, it’s already incorporated through brushing without any extra steps. We’re fairly conservative and always thorough with our diagnoses, and having prescription-strength toothpaste that includes TCP makes the chances of tooth remineralization much higher.
BEFORE & AFTER
One of the hardest things that a dentist can do is to match a single front tooth to the rest of the teeth without anyone knowing that the tooth has had treatment. The particular case I’m thinking of was especially difficult because the patient was a close friend who had suffered trauma to one of his front teeth. After making sure the tooth was healthy enough to support a crown, we were able to perfectly restore my friend’s smile to the point that even I have trouble picking out the tooth that I worked on!
oursouthbay.com | 2013 Southbay Health?
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