By J. S. Ronette—WASHINGTON, DC—If the new year has you thinking about a higher level of care for your mouth, here’s how to spot a dental practice that sets the bar. That means a practice offering an experience centered on comfort, convenience—and technology-focused care of your overall health!
Here’s a list of 2019’s “must-haves” for the ultimate in forward-looking dentistry:
• Attention to busy schedules, particularly yours. If this is your first visit, will the practice send you registration info online, in advance, so you can fill it out at your convenience? The practice should respect your time and schedule and make your stay in the reception area brief. Do the hours accommodate your busy life with extended early morning, evening and Saturday hours?
• The “Total-Health” Commitment. This is as current as it gets! “Good-oral-health-equals-good-overall-health” guides the philosophy of care of today’s leading-edge dentistry. In other words, the oral-systemic connection is at the core of every treatment. Did you know that poor gum health is connected to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, even inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis? “In fact, oral bacteria are found in the clots of heart attack and stroke victims,” says Dr. Daniel Deutsch, who notes that cardiologists and internists frequently send him patients for an oral check-up as part of heart disease or diabetes treatment.
Dr. Deutsch, who practices at the downtown DC, Washington Center for Dentistry, says that current research is driving a major focus on complete health dentistry. “That’s why we no longer tolerate any inflammation, bleeding or infection in our patients,” he says. “We can’t be healthy without a healthy mouth. And we regularly use high-tech testing and technology to make sure our patients stay healthy.”
“We can’t be healthy without a healthy mouth. That’s why we no longer tolerate inflammation, bleeding or infection in our patients.” says Dr. Deutsch of Washington Center of Dentistry.
• Superior Technology. Today’s dental devices, materials and techniques evolve rapidly. “The most advanced practices incorporate them, because they raise the standard of care for patients seeking nothing but the best,” says Dr. Deutsch.
Super Air-Flow Polisher. Imagine a pointy metal scraper to clean mildew off your stone patio. Even diligent scraping can miss something. Now imagine a quicker, ultra-strong power washer using air to easily spray away build-up—without a trace! That describes the game-changing innovation of the new digital “Air-Flow Polisher” – that removes bacteria biofilm below the gum in a spotless, scrub. The new Air-Flow Therapy cleans teeth faster and more thoroughly than ever before. The result: A sparkling smile! Dr. Deutsch states his office is the only office in the DC area to offer this brand new technology!
Laser Decay Detector: Gently detects decay hiding in tiny places before problems can occur by using a non-invasive laser light. This pen-like probe reads the surface of the tooth and lights up a digital number—if even the tiniest dot of decay is present. In the past, dentists relied on manual probing and X-rays, but they were less effective in showing decay in early stages.
3-D X-Ray: Produces views that show all the surfaces of the tooth in one image.
The Itero Scanner: Takes digital impressions of the mouth without the messy “goop” and cumbersome trays used in conventional impressions. These scanned impressions are more accurate and process more quickly.
A water-generated laser: Painlessly removes extra gum tissue to re-contour a gummy smile or to easily transform dark gum tissue into a bright, pink gum line. It also miraculously eliminates and heals advanced gum infections.
• Super-Complete Hygiene Visits. Watch out for outdated 30-minute “glorified teeth polishing” sessions. Make sure you get with highly trained “hygiene therapists” providing a thorough, detailed exam, looking for oral cancers, measuring the depth of “pockets” of gum tissue around each tooth, even using special microbial rinses and Oral DNA scans to eliminate disease-causing oral bacteria. And are they asking about health changes such as mediations and recent surgeries?
Fluoride for Adults. No, fluoride is not just for children. Many adults are at moderate or high risk for cavities. Science shows that fluoride treatments protect teeth from decay by 85 percent. Fluoride is now a vital part of hygiene care for adults.
• Digital Records and Communication. As soon as your appointment starts, are your profile and medical history loaded into a digital file and stored in a secure computer file? In the dental suite, the hygienist and doctor should have immediate, easy access to everything they need to know about you and your health. Does the practice communicate with you using email or text messages—depending on your preference—for the most immediate communication?
Dr. Deutsch and his colleagues, Dr. Michael G. Katsaros, and Dr. Richard P. Fordjour at the 16-treatment-suite Washington Center, are among top practitioners who stay on the cusp of change and are committed to this overall approach—from reception to diagnosis to treatment. “Even the smallest details receive serious attention,” Dr. Deutsch says.
Dr. Daniel J. Deutsch practices general, implant and cosmetic dentistry at the Washington Center for Dentistry, 1430 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 20005. www.washdent.com. info@washdent.com 202-223-6630.
