Interesting article I read about the correlations between the introduction of local anesthetic for dental treatment in kids and the reduction in 3rd molar formation and ocurrence. See below.
Spear article
Showing posts with label oral surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oral surgery. Show all posts
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Please Get Educated about the 2010 Healthcare Act
A decent summary of the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) as it impacts dental patient care was released recently.
The ACA has inadvertently developed many complicated twists and turns for patients and providers on the long road to a successful, comprehensive care horizon.
My thoughts:
1) Dentistry isn't about to get cheaper or easier to access with the advent of the ACA activity.
2) Maintain great communication with your employers and human resources representatives. Do your best to communicate the continued need for dental insurance policies.
3) Consider a health savings account or a flexible spending account and talk with your employer or HR about matching or funding those accounts for dental care. These types of accounts allow flexibility in how and where you get care. They can also help you and your family break through dental insurance limitations for where, when, and how you get care.
4) Educate yourself on how you can keep your children healthy under the ACA provisions. Odds are there is a state-funded program for kids in need, wherever you may live.
5) The ACA will create better access to medical insurance for our country's patients. Keep in mind surgical care in a dental office (tooth extractions, periodontal surgery, grafting, dental implants) and treatment for sleep apnea in a dental office can be submitted to medical insurance.
The ACA has inadvertently developed many complicated twists and turns for patients and providers on the long road to a successful, comprehensive care horizon.
My thoughts:
1) Dentistry isn't about to get cheaper or easier to access with the advent of the ACA activity.
2) Maintain great communication with your employers and human resources representatives. Do your best to communicate the continued need for dental insurance policies.
3) Consider a health savings account or a flexible spending account and talk with your employer or HR about matching or funding those accounts for dental care. These types of accounts allow flexibility in how and where you get care. They can also help you and your family break through dental insurance limitations for where, when, and how you get care.
4) Educate yourself on how you can keep your children healthy under the ACA provisions. Odds are there is a state-funded program for kids in need, wherever you may live.
5) The ACA will create better access to medical insurance for our country's patients. Keep in mind surgical care in a dental office (tooth extractions, periodontal surgery, grafting, dental implants) and treatment for sleep apnea in a dental office can be submitted to medical insurance.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Precision Implant Surgery
We are entering another amazing era in dentistry. Just 10 years ago, I thought our patients were experiencing an one-time renaissance in incredible dental technology and lifelike dentistry. But it's not over. The next technological evolution has arrived. We provide computer-guided, 3-D implant surgery in our office! We now replace teeth with digital precision.
We are now a certified SimPlant office. Using 3-D SimPlant technology, We can plan implant surgery with digital precision, and perform your implant surgery with confidence AND digital accuracy. We work with CT scan specialists to plan your surgery before you even enter our office for treatment.
We are now a certified SimPlant office. Using 3-D SimPlant technology, We can plan implant surgery with digital precision, and perform your implant surgery with confidence AND digital accuracy. We work with CT scan specialists to plan your surgery before you even enter our office for treatment.
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