When it comes to picking the best dentist to satisfy your dental needs, especially a holistic one, many people find themselves in a quandary. Unfortunately, holistic dentistry is not a true dental specialty, and there is no oversight, requirements or governing body for holistic dentists. This means that every holistic dentist is different, and any dentist can call himself or herself “holisitic,” “biologic” or “natural.” It is up to the patient to figure out which dental practice fulfills his or her holistic dental needs. While many patients like their dentist because he or she is “nice,” when it comes to your health, “nice” is just not good enough.
You can safely bet that all holistic dentists do not use mercury amalgam fillings, and that one commonality is usually all it takes for dentists to claim they are “holistic.” This is why it is important for the discerning individual to research the dentist and the dental practice, as well as interview the dentist on his or her first visit. Some dentists may even agree to have a phone interview before seeing the patient for the first time. Membership in holistic dental organizations, like the IAOMT, is a good sign. But it may only mean that they paid their membership dues, not necessarily that they follow the organization’s guidelines, attend meetings or constantly pursue continuing education in complementary medicine or modern dentistry. Websites and reviews are a good start, but readers beware: Anyone can write anything he or she wants on the Internet, true or not.
Clinical Skill
Sadly, only a small percentage of dentists are really adept at dentistry. As the old saying goes, “What do you call someone that got D+ grades in dental school? Doctor.” This may come as a shock to most people, but the fact remains that in order to be a good clinical dentist, one must possess exceptional hand–eye coordination. While physicians have a vast choice in specialties, less than 10 percent go into specialties that require great hand-eye coordination skills, such as plastic surgery, neurosurgery and eye surgery. While 99 percent of dentists have to be micro-surgeons, unfortunately less than 10 percent have that innate skill. Generally, natural-born artists that can draw and sculpt well have excellent hand-eye coordination. In addition, the art talent is extremely valuable in dentistry since dentists need to replicate the natural tooth form by sculpting and carving dental restorations. This explains why most people are walking around with fillings and crowns that look like non-anatomic blobs and have very little resemblance to the natural tooth. Nature makes teeth look like teeth for a reason. Each cusp and groove in a tooth serves a purpose. When dentists do not reproduce this anatomy when reconstructing a tooth, the teeth may not function properly. It is no wonder why many people suffer from TMJ problems: Their teeth have not been restored back to proper natural anatomy! Just because one has the right mindset, is nice and well meaning, does not mean he or she can deliver great, minimally invasive, pain-free and long-lasting dental care!
Philosophy
Since every holistic dentist is different, the philosophy of his or her approach becomes very important. Is the dentist a “holistic dentist” as a gimmick to attract new patients? Is the dentist leading a holistic lifestyle? Is the dentist knowledgeable in important holistic protocols, such as accreditation in the IAOMT, safe mercury removal, biocompatibility testing, holistic root canal therapy, how to avoid root canals, natural ways to heal cavities, ozone therapy, etc.? Is the dentist practicing 1800s conventional dentistry using non-toxic materials or is the dentist minimally invasive and is familiar with modern tooth-conserving dental techniques, such as biomimetic dentistry? By asking the dentists appropriate questions that are important to you, you can gauge by the dentist’s response if it is a right fit for you.
Training
What post-doctoral training in modern dentistry and alternative and complementary medicine does the dentist have? Is he a biomimetic dentist? Is she accredited by the IAOMT? Does the dentist have additional degrees in holistic and alternative health, such as naturopathy, nutrition, Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine or homeopathy? Is the dentist board certified in biologic dentistry? Dentistry is constantly changing; is the dentist staying current? New, more natural, healthier and non-toxic materials are finally available; is the dentist aware of these materials? New developments in technology allow dentists to be minimally invasive and tooth conserving. How does the dentist you are choosing measure up in these categories? Is the dentist golfing all the time or is he or she going to continuing education courses?
Technology
Incredible advances in dental materials, technology and techniques have great appeal to the holistic-minded individual. Various dental lasers that treat many conditions from gum disease to tooth decay; 2-D and 3-D digital low radiation X-rays allow for better diagnosis; CEREC CAD/CAM creates a perfectly fitting ceramic tooth reconstruction in a single visit; metal-free bridges and dental implants are a perfect choice for metal-sensitive individuals; dental ozone therapy has many dental applications; as well as a variety of other minimally invasive modern technologies that are available to all dentists. Unfortunately, most do not offer these modern technologies to their patients. Does the holistic dentist you choose offer modern, minimally invasive technologies or is he or she doing things the old-fashioned way, just without mercury fillings?
Finding the right fit for you and your dental needs will take some investigation. Browse the Internet and interview the dentist. Visit the office and take a tour with some of the staff. You do not need to commit to any treatment or even an appointment. Do your homework and you will be rewarded with finding the right holistic dentist for you and your family to serve your specific dental needs.
Source: Alex Shvartsman, DDS, MAGD, AIAOMT, Long Island Center for Healthier Dentistry, 260 E. Main St., Ste., 109, Smithtown. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 631-361-3577 or visit SmithtownSmiles.com. See ad on this page.
