Dentistry today means keeping up with the incredible developments being made in equipment and techniques. More than one dentist Soho has invested heavily in new equipment and most practice staff regularly attend training on new methods and techniques, to be able to offer patients the best and most up-to-date treatment available.
The most important aspect of dentistry is defined by the fact that people have two ears and one mouth, which indicates that we should listen more than we speak. Listening to patients’ dental concerns and what services they expect a modern dentist to offer is all part and parcel of being a dentist today.
The old adage that ‘prevention is better than cure’ is not better represented than in dentistry. As a responsible dentist, encouraging parents to bring their children with them to their appointments is part of the preventive dentistry process.
Children see their parents in the surgery and this reduces any anxiety they may feel. As they grow up they will have become more used to dental surgery and as a consequence will feel less anxious and more relaxed. The dentist is afforded an early opportunity to identify dental problems before they can manifest into major problems.
Educating children into the routine of proper oral maintenance is another aspect that can be covered when children are introduced at a young age to dental surgery. Another aspect of preventive dentistry is building a dentist/patient relationship which allows the dentist to offer candid criticism when a patient has not taken proper care of their teeth and gums.
The love affair with technology
As patients become increasingly aware of their facial features through advances in technology in the form of the smartphone, the burden of correcting facial distortions as a result of teeth and gums falls onto the dentist. In keeping with using technology which patients are comfortable with, dentists have become more innovative.
Providing a facility to book video appointments so that a virtual consultation is possible, where patients can be viewed and explain what they would like to have done, has now become the norm. This gives the dentist a further opportunity to discuss, not only what the patient would like to have done, but also what needs to be done.
Time has become a precious commodity in today’s fast-paced world and using technology in this way is useful and productive, as a patient can arrange a consultation from home or at work.
Practical and cosmetic treatments
Any treatment must first and foremost have practical benefits which will eventually result in an aesthetically pleasing result. As part of dental training, dentists will have knowledge of craniofacial conditions and this knowledge affords the dental profession the opportunity to increase the treatments they offer.
In addition to dental procedures such as correcting misalignments of the teeth and jaw and dental implants, other services such as teeth whitening have now become standard. Other cosmetic treatments include veneers, crowns, and cosmetic bonding.
In addition, facial aesthetic treatments are becoming more and more popular, especially as dentists operate in a safe clinical environment. They also have a thorough knowledge of how to administer injections.