Referred to a Dental Specialist? Don't Fret! It's a Good Thing!

No, really...it is!

As a dental assistant I used to chuckle at patients, quietly of course, who would scoff at the fact that the doctor was referring them out. So I used to explain it like this...

If your medical doctor diagnosed you with a heart condition...you wouldn't think twice about being seen by a cardiologist would you? Of course not! You know your medical doctor was trained to treat you, but your Cardiologist, is a master at it. I don't know about you, but I'd rather let the master do the work.

For many, many years, the dental offices were one-stop shops. Anything you needed done from cleanings, extractions and root canals, to dentures and periodontal treatments you could have done at one office. Most general practices offered just about everything.

With the growth of treatments and technologies in the field radically changing daily, general dentists worldwide are forced to keep on their toes to be able to continue to offer all these services at their A+ rate. The reality of this is, not every general dentist can be 100% proficient, in every aspect of every field of dentistry.

This is where the beauty of specialists come in. They are able to offer the A+ treatments to patients when their general dentist is not comfortable performing a procedure or has diagnosed treatment that doesn't fall into their scope of practice. It's your general dentist's way of saying " I want you to have the best treatment possible for your situation." And why not have a doctor who does this procedure all day, day in and day out do it?

So, if you receive a referral to a dental specialist, make sure you thank your doctor. He's looking out for you, your comfort and your dental health.

Scientists Deem Chocolate Good For Your Teeth!

I actually had to laugh when I first read up on this topic. All those years of dentists coaching you to eat less sweets and VOILA! A dream come true for me and I'm sure many other chocolate lovers!

As it turns out, scientists report that parts of the cocoa bean that are used to make chocolate, also have natural occurring antibacterial agents that help fight mouth bacteria that causes tooth decay. The polyphenolen in cocoa has been shown to inhibit the growth of of bacterias such as Streptococcus which produces the sticky substance called glucan that allows cavity causing bacterias to adhere themselves to the teeth.

I also read that there are a few European companies such as Barry Callebaut and Smet who have created the first chocolate that does not cause cavities. This chocolate is made with a different type of sugar called isomaltulose which does not increase acidity levels in the mouth that lead to tooth decay.

Keep in mind while scientists have deemed chocolate good for your teeth, it still is loaded with calories and sugars that can lead to weight problems and such, so it's good to continue to consume them in moderation.

For more interesting information on this topic, check out the following websites.

www.thenakedscientists.com
www.fitsugar.com

D.D.S. or D.M.D... Which is better?

Which is better for a dentist have a D.D.S. or D.M.D.? Is one better than the other?

I have been asked these question many times and the answer usually comes as a surprise when I give it.

D.D.S. is Doctor of Dental Surgery and D.M.D. is Doctor of Medical Dentistry.

They are one in the same. It all depends on where they went to school. The education and curriculum are the same for both. Most dental colleges offer the D.D.S. degree and the others will offer a D.M.D. degree.

Regardless of a D.D.S. or D.M.D., some dentist specialize in specific areas of dentistry and some do not practice some areas of dentistry. That has nothing to do with their degree, that is usually a decision based on the comfortability of the individual dentist.

To find a recommended dentist near you, check out the provider locator page on the Savon Dental Plan website at http://www.savondentalplan.com/

The Evolution of Dentistry

Can you imagine waking up with a toothache and visiting your local barber for treatment? Back in the 1700's, it was common for barbers to treat dental emergencies, and do extractions! They would also perform minor general surgeries and embalming services in addition to cutting hair! SCARY.

There is a link below to an article that documents the evolution of dentistry by era. This is really an interesting read.

http://www.desotofamilydentalcare.com/dental_information/millennium_of_dentistry.htm

Savon Dental Plan-A Wise Investment

With the struggling economy and the unemployment rate increasing daily, people are very careful with how they spend their money. When it comes to Dental Coverage, people often look more into what they pay for the plan rather than what they save at the dental office. I understand the need to find a plan that a person can afford, but is a low monthly or yearly payment really worth it, when you are not getting a valuable discount when you visit the dentist? That's the reason why Savon Dental Plan is recommended by it's members, agents and most of it's dentists too. Savon offers a reasonable premium with the most comprehensive fee schedule that shows you the savings that you will get when you visit the dentist. Log on to www.savondentalplan.com today. Check out The Comparision Zone link on the home page and check it out for yourself. Savon will show you how they have the most reasonable rates and best savings around. Do not take my word for it. Log on today!

Original post by Music Man, May 2009