News & Articles

Why is fluoride good for me?
by: Tiffany Schuyler, RDH, BASDH

When people think about fluoride treatments as part of dental therapy, everyone thinks back to the fluoride rinses and foams used during childhood. New research shows adults who have a moderate or high risk for dental decay or dental sensitivity can receive a tremendous benefit from fluoride treatments. Any patient who has a history of dental decay, crown and bridge work, gingival recession and exposed root surfaces, dry mouth, and those taking prescription medications are considered to be high risk patients by the American Dental Association.

Research shows these patients can greatly reduce their risk for dental decay and sensitivity by receiving a professional fluoride treatment as part of their maintenance dental therapy at three or six month intervals. An article included in an edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association verified these results and concluded the two best applications of fluoride include topical fluoride gel and fluoride varnish.

Professionally applied topical fluoride gels administered for four minutes helps prevent the occurrence of dental decay. However, fluoride varnish treatments applied at three or six month intervals are more effective in preventing fluoride decay and dental sensitivity in patients of all ages. Not only are the applications of fluoride varnish more time efficient, but they are also are more comfortable for patients. The fluoride varnish also has the ability to penetrate more thoroughly into tooth structure than the topical fluorides. Therefore, we feel it is by far, the best preventative measure we can provide for our patients.

Professionally applied topical fluoride: Evidence-based clinical recommendations. (2006). Journal of the American Dental Association [JADA], 137 (8) 1151-1159.

For more information, here is a link to the article: http://jada.ada.org/content/137/8/1151.full.pdf+html

 

"Wanted: An Honest Dentist"
A response from Dupont & Wilkerson Dentistry to an article published by MSN.com
by: Tiffany Schuyler, RDH, BASDH

Many people often feel as though dentistry is an elective procedure rather than a necessity and feel dentists excessively charge for their procedures. There are often conflicting treatment options offered by different dentists. Patients see this as some dentists wanting to make more money, so they recommend the most expensive treatment option. The reality is dentists all have different experiences where some treatment options work better than others. Dentists will not only treat immediate problems, but work to prevent future problems.

I know that the dentists I work for have over 60 years combined of individualizing dental treatment on a patient by patient basis to provide the most conservative treatment possible to help patients develop a healthy, comfortable mouth and a great looking smile. They also lecture all over the country and the world, drawing on their experiences and knowledge to provide the patient with the best possible care.

You can read the article called "Wanted: An honest dentist" on MSN.com. The article was written by a reporter who was given a variety of diagnoses and treatment options from three dentists within a 13-month timeframe. Dupont & Wilkerson agrees with comments released by the American Dental Association (ADA) calling the commentary "one-sided" and that it "does not provide all of the facts, and therefore does a disservice to its readers, many of whom are our patients". In a June 2011 statement, the ADA said, "If the reporter had contacted the ADA, she would know that dentists vary in their approaches to treatment. Different dentists might recommend different treatments for a tooth that presents no immediate threat but may be a problem in the future. Dentists use their individual experience and knowledge of the patient to recommend treatment. The ADA cannot comment on the specific diagnosis reported in the story, but we do know is that the ADA encourages patients to talk to their dentist about their oral health and their dental treatment options. One of the great strengths of American dentistry is the trust and understanding between patient and dentist."