Chairside Emergencies Happen - Is Your Dentist Prepared?

It isn't a common occurrence, necessarily.  But it does happen.  Medical emergencies in the dental chair can't always be prevented but the risks can be drastically reduced if the patient and the doctor are completely transparent and open with each other about illnesses, medication and health history. All dentists have at least some training for medical emergency treatment, however in addition he/she should have at least one staff member trained in CPR, and have an emergency plan in place which includes emergency phone numbers, a defibrillator, medications on hand and procedures to stop bleeding, etc. He should take your blood pressure reading and heart rate prior to treatment, and again after treatment. If administering general anesthesia, he should be anesthesia certified. Some states issue separate licenses for anesthesia. Always make sure he is certified, or that he has a certified anesthesiologist on staff!
 
That said, here are some helpful suggestions for the patient to remember when having a procedure done:

• Disclose all medications that you take daily, even if it is just an aspirin or something over the counter. 
• If you have ever had high blood pressure, let the dentist know!
• If you suffer from acute anxiety, say so!  Many dentists cater to the anxious patient. Things can be done to help you with that. 
• If you are pregnant, let him know!
• If you have allergies to medications, let him know! 
• If you have taken anything prior to your visit for relaxation....a sedative, an alcoholic beverage, marijuana....seriously, he needs this information. Many people will do this before a visit and not disclose it thinking it won't pose a problem. The dentist isn't going to judge you, but he is going to treat you and there is a serious liability factor involved, especially when it comes to anesthesia, so don't hold anything back!  

The medical history of the patient is the single most helpful thing for a dentist to have before treatment begins.  Your honesty is imperative.  He cannot effectively manage your treatment plan without this knowledge!

Keep Smiling!

Things That Drive Your Dentist Nuts

I am going to turn the table on everyone for a few. Time after time we hear about things that patients hate about their dentist or things that the dentist does that drives them crazy. Well, turnabout is fair play. Here are a few things that about patients that drive your dentist crazy.

1. Self-Diagnosing - This also plays true all around the medical field. Newsflash.. WebMD is not always accurate. There are many other factors that are not taken into consideration. That is the reason why they paid thousands of dollars to go to dental school and learn dentistry. If you think you know more than them, then why are you going to their office? So unless you have a DDS or DMD behind your name, then let's try to let the trained professionals make the diagnosis.

2. Procrastinating Then Blaming Them Because It Got Worse - Last year when the dentist told you that have a cavity and need to get it fixed, it wasn't a mere suggestion. It was a warning that if you don't get it fixed it will get worse. So, now a year later when your dentist is telling you that you need a root canal and a crown, blaming them and accusing them of trying to rip you off is not the right approach. "Last time you told me it was a cavity"... Yes, that was last year, 12 months ago, 365 days ago.. now that cavity has gotten worse and cannot be filled. Why? Because YOU procrastinated on getting the filling a year ago. It is not the dentist fault that you discarded the treatment plan and your tooth got worse. It is your fault. Blame yourself, not your dentist.

3. Complaining About The Bill After The Work Is Complete - Before the dentist even started work on your mouth, you were issued a treatment plan with an estimate of how much the work cost. THAT is the time to ask questions or inquire about the charges. Not after you accept the treatment plan and the estimate and get all of the work done. If you agree to the price and agree to have the work done, then you agreed it and that's that. Now, if the bill does not match your estimate, you have a legitimate complaint, but whining about cracking open your checkbook after the dentist just spent 2 hours fixing your teeth that you agreed to have fixed at the price, is not legitimate. It works the same as in any business. You are given a quote for the work, you accept the quote, get the work done and pay what was agreed on. A dentist is no different.

Dentist - Patient relationship is a 2 way street. Chances are good if your dentist is annoying you than you are annoying them as well. I am sure that I can list a lot more of these, but these are the ones that just came to mind. I may have to blog some more in the near future!

So... are you guilty of any of these?? Hmmm...

Savon Dental Plan Is Available In The Tri-State Area!

We are pleased to announce that Savon Dental Plan is now available in the Tri-State Area of Laughlin Nevada, Bullhead City, Arizona, Fort Mohave, Arizona, Mohave Valley, Arizona and Needles, California and surrounding areas. As of right now, we have 1 provider in the area in Bullhead City, Arizona and are rapidly working to get more in the surrounding areas as well. This opens up a whole new market for us at Savon and gives us the opportunity to bring our affordable dental coverage to another smaller rural community that benefit from it greatly.

If you are a current member and are visiting that area, please know that your plan will work at any of our network providers that we get there, just as it does for all of our providers nationwide. If you live in the area, please take the time to check us out at SavonDentalPlan.com and see how much you WILL save at the dentist office.

We do have a representative that has relocated to the Bullhead City /  Fort Mohave area and is there to help with Provider and Member relations. If you would like to speak with him, you can reach him at 800-809-3494, Ext 103.

The Cost of Dentistry-A Different Perspective

Having worked in the dental benefit industry for 23 years, one of the most common reasons I've encountered for people to avoid seeing a dentist is the expense. Let's face it, dentistry is costly, and the cost just keeps rising. Well, I came across a website that offers some dental trivia facts and it really put things into perspective with regard to affordability.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

DID YOU KNOW?

*The average amount of money spent each year on DENTISTRY is $50 Billion.

Now, compare that to:

*The average amount of money spent on PET FOOD each year, which is also $50 Billion!

*The average amount of money spent each year on HAIR CARE - $100 Billion!

*The average spent on legal GAMBLING each year - a staggering $300 Billion!!!

It would seem that we really have no excuse to put off a visit to the dentist, based on these facts!

Keep Smiling!

The Lost Art Of Denture Making

So many people can relate to this: the long and tedious process of fitting a new set of dentures. What goes into the process is mind boggling. The dentures must fit the jawbone. They must fit your facial structure. The teeth must be the right size. Your jawbone must be able to support dentures, possibly requiring bone grafts. Then there are the adjustments after the many fittings...The cost alone is bad enough; the high price of dental prosthetics is becoming unmanageable. Many people, primarily the elderly, are opting for economy dentures made by labs that basically use an assembly line process for manufacturing. Add to that the lack of good denture technicians (not that there aren't any...it's just a dying breed), and consequently, the end result is generally an ill-fitting set of dentures that end up in a drawer or the medicine cabinet because the patient will revert to their old set in favor of comfort, even if the old ones are loose. Typically, you get what you pay for, sorry to say! Then, of course, there is the use of denture adhesives. Just how much adhesive can one person use to secure an ill-fitting set of teeth?

This brings me to the explanation for the title of this blog: The Lost Art Of Denture Making. Many dentists are opting out of standard denture making for the patient altogether...it's simply too time consuming, and due to so many factors, unpredictable. Basically, when fashioning a denture for a patient, it's a crap shoot, whether they are made in house or at the lab. Dentists today are choosing instead to go with implants, or implant supported dentures. This is a much better option than loose fitting, ill-made dentures that float around in your mouth, however, it is much more expensive, and a little more time consuming, but the end result is a more solid, comfortable fit for the patient. Technology today has made it possible to have a completely false set of teeth that look , feel and function like normal teeth. If you are one of those poor souls who knows exactly what I'm talking about, maybe you would be a candidate for implants or implant supported dentures. Ask your dentist for his/her opinion. It could greatly improve your lifestyle and your overall health.
Keep Smiling!

Don't just go to specialist, wait to get a referral.

While talking to customers on the phone I have noticed an interesting trend. Patients are going to a specialist to get work done without seeking a referral from their general dentist first. There is an assumption our there that if a root canal is needed that you need to go to an endodontist to get it done. Some are going to a periodontist to get routine style cleanings and others are automatically setting appointments with oral surgeons to get an extraction done.

I admire their proactiveness, but if you are doing this than you may be paying more that you may need to. A general dentist is capable of doing a lot more that people think. If you need dental work done, your first stop should be your general dentist. Let them examine you, advise you and plan your treatment with. If they feel that a specialist is necessary or the best course of action for your dental health, then let them tell you that make the referral. Then you can go the specialist to get it done.

Give the general dentist the first look. If they can do the treatment themselves then you will save a lot more money.

Nail Biting - Much Worse Than A Bad Habit

Are you a nail biter? Do you know someone who is? If so, this is something you may want to pay attention to!! Nail biting is actually considered by some psychologists and physicians to be a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD). Here are some fast facts about nail biting that you may not know:

• It is estimated that as many as 40% of teens and 30% of adults may be compulsive nail biters.
• It is considered to be a nervous disorder, and even an indication of anxiety and passive aggression.
• It is (in some cases) also hereditary!
• Thumb sucking and lip biting fall into the same catagory.

The effects of nail biting on the teeth and gums is a serious issue. Long term, it can weaken the structure of your teeth and cause them to loosen, chip or crack. It can also cause misalignment. Bacteria lives under your fingernails, and it is introduced into your mouth when you bite your nails, carrying the possibility of viruses like E-Coli, influenza, the common cold and other diseases that we can't even pronounce... Think about it...whatever you've touched recently may still be lurking around under your nails. Ugh! In addition to that, constant nail biting can cause permanent damage to your nails and nailbed. There are topical applications that have proven useful for kids who are nail biters, but it isn't really effective for teens and adults. Therapy is useful, but expensive. For most, it is a very hard habit to break but have faith....it can be done!
Ladies, you may benefit most from this remedy...switch to acrylic nails and manicures that include polish and artwork! I have personally known people who have successfully grown out their nails by doing this. It works!

As always, Keep Smiling!