Pampering your prophylaxis

dental-spaThe ambient lighting, the gentle trickling water from the tabletop Zen garden, the intermittent buzzing of a high-speed hand piece in the background, these sounds are becoming increasingly intermingled with the emergence of dental spas across the country. When dental anxiety is one of the leading drivers for patients avoiding essential dental care, the addition of a “spa-like” treatment may help patients feel more at home. A dental spa is exactly what you think it would be – a dental facility under a licensed Oral Health Care provider that offers spa services in addition to providing dental care.

Give Kids A Smile: addressing barriers to care and future trends

Screen Shot 2014-04-30 at 6.04.12 PMThe American Dental Association began GKAS more than 10 years ago in an effort to treat underserved children. Many children experience barriers to dental care. Some children do not have dental insurance, and some cannot afford the specific treatment needed or live too far from a clinic. I co-chaired Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) 2014 at our school. It was tough work coordinating volunteers, patient flowcharts, supplies and staff. I am incredibly thankful for my hardworking co-chairs and dedicated committee. We had a successful event and treated almost 200 patients. We provided care that amounted to over $45,000 (based on our school’s fees)…