Back in January, I wrote a post about proactive dentistry versus reactive dentistry. Reactive dentistry is an approach to dentistry that only reacts to problems that have cropped up, while proactive dentistry is an approach that seeks to maintain good oral health and prevent problems in the first place.
Related to this idea is what I call “lifestyle dentistry.” This is when the dentist looks at the patient as a whole – instead of just applying a quick fix. Lifestyle dentistry works to discover the root causes of their issues and address those for lasting solutions.
This is such an important issue to me, I wanted to cover it on the blog today by giving some examples and explaining why it matters.
Lifestyle dentistry is relationship dentistry
Another way to think of lifestyle dentistry is as relationship dentistry, because the relationship between the dentist and patient is central to it.
Trust and respect are big factors in lifestyle dentistry. I want my patients to trust that I have their interests at heart and will only recommend or proceed with treatment if I believe it’s what’s truly best for them. I also respect what they have to say, always listen to their concerns, and strive to earn their respect by being upfront and honest, and by providing excellent care.
Lifestyle dentistry goes beyond the surface
In my practice, I spend a lot of time talking to my patients, especially during the first visit. I want to know about their oral health and their dental history, of course, but I want to know much more than that, like their habits and hobbies, and what they do for a living. All this information can provide me clues to what’s going on with their dental health at the root level.
For instance, I may notice some worn enamel or chipped teeth in a patient’s mouth. If I also know from our conversation that they are tired all the time, then these two clues together suggest the possibility of a sleep disorder. Instead of going straight to treatment and fixing the appearance of the teeth, I may suggest they have a sleep study done. That way, if a sleep disorder is the cause of the damage to their teeth (through grinding at night), they can address that first.
Lifestyle dentistry considers the patient’s circumstances
As stated earlier, lifestyle dentistry looks at the patient as a whole person. This can mean taking a patient’s current life situation into account when creating a treatment plan to ensure it’s not just good for the dental health, but is something that will fit in with their life as it is right now.
For example, let’s say I’m examining a patient and notice a crack in one of her molars. The immediate solution that comes to mind is to put in a crown. But if I know from our previous discussions that she’s going through cancer treatment, I’m going to take that into consideration. Maybe the crown, which would be the best course of action for 95% of patients, isn’t the right course of action for her at this moment. Instead, I’ll suggest a treatment plan that better fits with what she’s currently experiencing.
Lifestyle dentistry is personalized
One thing I love about my work is that I get to see many of the same people year after year. I have the opportunity to know them better as the years go by and because of that, I’m able to offer an even higher level of care that’s tailored to their unique histories, circumstances, and wishes. And providing the best quality of care is what lifestyle dentistry is ultimately all about.
Let’s work together! Visit my website to learn more about me and my practice.