CPR, First Aid Update For Our Office!

We regularly see patients with multiple medical conditions, multiple medications, or other therapies. We are seeing an increase in the age of our patients, as well as seeing a greater population of patients with obstructed breathing disorders and diabetes. Understanding the complexities of these types of patients requires ongoing training and practice. 

Thank you to Tara of Medic/First Aid, Inc. who led an intensive review of lifesaving and first aid emergencies. She tailored our recertification to the emergency protocols we encounter with our surgical, sedation, and general dental patients.

Dr. Rafoth is trained in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). He is a Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation provider, mentor, and member. Our team is trained and up-to-date on the current techniques for conscious sedation care as well as CPR, AED, and first aid services.

Complicated Care Plans Require Flexibility in Treatment

Lately I have had several consultations regarding large-scale, complicated treatment plans to care for complex decay and periodontal disease. It's been pretty trying for me as I discuss the large costs of these treatments; my patients have developed these conditions over many, many years. To recommend the right kind of care for them, I have to walk a fine line between cost and care with them all. Most of the involved plans have a sticker price that is akin to a new car.

In order to make things affordable in dentistry, I have to find a way to create steps in care. I'm always using the simple (albeit sometimes oversimplified) analogy of building a house. At times I am proposing a remodel. Other times I am proposing a bulldozing and total rebuild. And when a house gets work done, it can happen in phases. No different in my line of work.

The reason it's important to share this?  Twofold. First, everything in dentistry is expensive. It's important for me to keep that in mind as I propose care plans, because it's a real world we live in with lots of expenses from all angles in our lives. If I can create a situation where patients can start a project, have stability in the interim, and finish it within a reasonable time frame while on a budget, then I feel good about that.

Secondly, dentistry done right is time-consuming. I actually feel steps HAVE to happen in many of these cases. "Teeth InAn Hour" is bandied about these days, and I don't think that fits the majority of patients; it's practically unfair to doctors and patients alike to push that same-day tooth replacement option.  Oral health doesn't blow up and fail in a day. So there's little chance that a quality result occurs in the same time frame.

Lastly, with financing, things can happen in steps with a flexible payment plan.

Give us a call to talk about your involved or complex care. I know we can find a way to make it happen in steps.