How Can I Find a (Holistic) Dentist?
How Can I Find a Good (Holistic) Dentist?
This is another favorite question people ask me. Who does the kind of things discussed in holistic dentistry articles and websites? Do I just phone around? Or is there a better way?
There's a list of resources at the end of this article.
Fortunately there are a number of organizations and groups, formal and informal, that are interested in promoting ideas like the possible problems with mercury-containing amalgam (silver) fillings and other materials normally used in contemporary dentistry. There are groups promoting healthy lifestyles in many ways and sometimes dentistry as it is usually done, is thought to impact it negatively. Such groups are eager to know about and promote dentists that practice in a way that is thought to be supportive of that groups goals and mission statements. I'll provide a list of helpful groups at the end of this virtual pamphlet.
Such groups / organizations will have a list of known dentists that claim to adhere to practice policies congruent to that group's goals. Each list is generated by word-of-mouth by patients that notify that group or by the dentist notifying the group or subscribing to its newsletters or attending lectures etc. There is normally no checking up on the dentist to see what he or she actually does or how it is done or how well it is done. It's just a list to narrow down your search that you can start your search from.
Moreover, each different group will have different names on their lists. There will be many names that will reappear on all or most of the lists and some only on perhaps one of them. Don't rule that one out, especially if you like what that group stands for. Look for dentists geographically well located for you as a starting point.
Call the office and try to engage the receptionist that answers the phone. The amount of energy she is willing to give you over the phone realistically probably is some indication of how you will be treated...at least in terms of how well you will be received as an individual person, rather than just another patient.
The owner/employer/dentist sets the tone and hires and instructs the receptionist as to how to handle phone calls. The phone person could just be having a bad hair day, of course, or it could be one of those busy moments with three patients standing in front of her trying to get their bills and appointments straightened out and all the while late to get to work themselves. So you might want to call at least another time for more information and see if it's the same routine. If it is, you may have a pretty accurate picture of the office!
The office should be open about general information regarding appointments, general fees, and be able to provide you with helpful informaton related to your dental questions. Perhaps if the receptionist can't answer your question, the dentist will, either at that time or with a call back to you when he has time. I do.
Don't be intimidated! Better yet, if you feel intimidated, you should probably look elsewhere. It may be a good office but the "chemistry" is wrong for you. Energetically, it's the wrong place....
If you are still not sure after checking around and speaking to the receptionist and perhaps other office personnel, you can do one or both of the following minimum-committment things:
1.You can just visit the office.
You'll get a chance to look around - snoop a little - and talk to someone live. Is the office clean? Does it smell ok? How do the sounds of the equipment and the voices make you feel? Is there music? Is it rock, classical, new age, up-beat, boring, nothing....what? How do you feel there? Do you relate to the people you see there...socially, culturally, economically, spiritually ?
2. Make an appointment for a Consultation only.
You'll get to meet the doc and his assistant as well as the receptionist. You'll be in the treatment room....check it out! He or she will look around your mouth . Was the dentist gentle and centered on you? Or was he hurried to do you as quick as he could so he could run down the hall to the next ...more important procedure? Did he just stick a mirror in your mouth or did he take the time and energy and interest to get to know you and connect energetically with you first? Did it seem canned or sincere, if he did.....? You're checking him or her out just as much as the other way around, remember that! And ask questions. The dentist will not give you a whole lot of time "just for a consult" but you should feel at the end that you got some useful information and insight into what your dental needs are. Preferably you might feel a little more educated and aware, and maybe even desirous of some things you weren't thinking of when you came in.
At that point you should have a pretty good feel for the dentist, staff, and practice.
A word or so of caution!
Just because the dentist says he's holistic, or just because he's on someone's list, or just because he scared the hell out of you that you better do this or that right now or else something awful will happen to you for sure, or because he is so sure this or that problem that no other doctor has been able to help you with just must be caused by some dental malady which only he knows how to fix...
Just because he/she's so-o-o wonderful.... is no guarantee he's not a... jerk...!!!! or worse....!
So here's my word of advice...Keep your common sense in tact! Keep your intuition working and listen...listen to it carefully. And there's no reason someone you trust and respect can't come with you - even be in the room during the consultation examination and discussion. Your advocate may be able to be more objective than you in what is for many of us an emotionally charged situation.
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Here are some resources that may be able to help you with some names to begin your process:
DAMS Dental Amalgam Mercury Syndrome
This is a lay ( regular people, not professionals) that have had medical problems that nobody could get under control until the mercury-containing fillings were removed. They network and spread the word about their experiences and put out a very nice newsletter with stories, articles and information about what they see as the dangers of mercury in your body.
They have "chapters" in most but not all states in the USA, and several other countries (outside the US). The main office is:
DAMS
Teresa Kaiser,MA
NBCC Exec. Director ph: 800-311-6265
POBox 64397 fax:757-721-2668
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
IAOMT International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
This is a great organization made up mostly of dentists but also of physicians, researchers and other professionals in healthcare and related fields. It's goals relate to increasing knowledge about the safety or danger of materials used in dental treatment. Where it stands out from the crowd is that it doesn't accept every "new age" idea that comes down the pike automatically. It looks to find scientific support for the ideas it endorses. Often, however, the scientific research it looks at favorably is the same research established dentistry puts down as meaningless. That's just the state of the situation at this time. Lots of egos and politics and bucks..... as well as sincerely deeply held beliefs make for a very confusing time in healthcare generally, and dentistry specifically. Many members in USA and elsewhere.
IAOMT
20 York Mills Rd Suite 202 ph: 1-416-225-4169
North York fax: 1-416-225-7648
Ontario, Canada M2P 2C2
FTFD Foundation for Toxic-Free Dentistry
Somewhat similar to IAOMT.
FTFD
Box 608010 Send a self-addressed, stamped #10
Orlando, FL 32860 envelope, please
Bioprobe
Run by Michael Ziff, DDS, one of the foremost experts on mercury toxicity who lectures regularly at IAOMT meetings and elsewhere. Bioprobe has many books, booklets, and puts out a great newsletter on all the scientific research going on dealing with mercury toxicity and related issues. Same address as FTFD above.
ph: 800-282-9670
fax: 407-299-4149PPNF Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation
A committed and serious group dedicated to the turn-of-the-century remarkable work of Drs. Price and Pottenger dealing with focal infection, nutrition, toxicities and more. Several issues relate to dentistry and root canal treatment specifically.
PPNF
POBox 2614 ph:619-574-7763
La Mesa, CA 91943-2614 fax: 619-574-1314CFMR (Canadians For Mercury Relief)
CMFR is actually a motivated group seeking to promote and diseminate information about the potential problems related to mercury use in dentistry specifically and is as of 5/99 engaged in developing a huge class-action lawsuit in Canada based on mercury use. News about its activities and views as well as a promised listing of mercury-free dentists (with some helpful supplementary info) should be available at website http://www.talkinternational.comThese organizations will lead you to other related ones.
Good luck and Happy Hunting!
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Holistic dentistry is an approach to dental treatment, primarily caring for patients' health and safety from both a conventional as well as "alternative healthcare" point of view. It is sometimes called "biological" dentistry or "biocompatible" dentistry. In it's fullest sense, I believe it acknowledges and deals with the mind, body and spirit of the patient, not just his or her "teeth". See Topics / Info.....
Cosmetic dentistry is about doing quality , esthetic dentistry in a way that looks natural to begin with, and furthermore, can even improve one's attractiveness through techniques such as bonding, bleaching, veneers, caps, implants and more. It can be like "instant orthodontics" in correcting crooked, twisted or misplaced teeth in many instances. Dark or mis-shapen teeth can be restored. Smiles that lack youthful vigor or beauty can be revitalized! See Topics / Info..
In holistic dentistry there is an effort to find biocompatible materials to use to reduce toxicity for everyone, especially the chemically sensitive. Amalgam use is avoided in holistic dentistry (" amalgam free" or "mercury free") due to concern about possible toxicity problems. Amalgam removal and replacement with natural-looking bonded materials is a common holistic dentistry treatment as well as a common cosmetic dentistry treatment. Detoxification, especially of residual mercury deposits in body tissues from amalgams is often done. Root canals are controversial in holistic dentsitry and are discussed under topics. And much more....
Bleaching, veneers, bonding, caps, bridges, and implants are cosmetic dentistry treatments that are also discussed in Cosmetic Dentistry, and more...
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