Preventive Dental care

"Prevention is the foundation of any healthcare program". In dentistry, prevention follows from regular examinations/ cleanings.
Most people going to a dentist regularly for checkups call for an appointment for a "cleaning". While the professional tooth and gum cleaning is very important, many other facets of the appointment are easily misunderstood.
This appointment is a professional cleaning, but it is also a thorough professional preventive appointment. The dentist and hygienist Should be evaluation the following areas during a preventive recall hygiene exam:
• medical history
• oral cancer screening
• TMJ and muscle and occlusion analysis
• decay
• wear of teeth and fillings
• erosion/abfraction (notching of teeth near gum line
• gum pocket and gum recession
• airway
• tooth mobility
• fractures of teeth and fillings
• esthetics
• function
• plaque levels
• bleeding gums
• diet and hygiene
• comfort/ sensitivity
• food traps

There are several tools that we use in order to gather information about a patients' dental and overall health during a preventive recall hygiene visit.
tools used to gather information include:
• sleep apnea screening
• BMI (weight and height comparison)
• neck circumference
• blood pressure
• update medications and medical conditions
• x-rays
• visual and manual exam of tissues and teeth
• percussion ( tapping of teeth to test for sensitivity
• air blast test for sensitivity
• periodontal probe for gum pockets and gum recession
• DIAGNOdent (laser cavity detection)
• intraoral camera for close-up look at teeth and tissue
• plaque measurement
• dye tablets to visualize plaque
• explorer probe to check for cavities
• transillumination light to look for cracks and cavities
• mobility evaluation to check for loose teeth
• Vizilite advanced oral cancer screening test
• Carifree plaque activity evaluation
• airway collapsibility evaluation
• bite stick test for sensitivity and cracks in teeth and fillings
• cold q-tip test to test for unusual sensitivity

These processes help us to get a good overall picture of a patients' health during a preventive hygiene recall appointment. As you can see prevention is thorough and more than just "a cleaning".

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Healthcare reform, and dentistry

Dentistry is part of the healthcare reform package. Some parts of the package including children's coverage are to be implemented right away. It is not real clear how this part of the package will proceed, but the idea is to allow all children access to healthcare.

There are dental insurance plans and state run plans already.

Dental healthcare plans for children have been around for many years. Many health insurance plans offer dental insurance as an add on product. Dental insurance plans , unlike medical insurance is readily available to anyone desiring to purchase it on their own. They are fairly reasonable cost.The State provides care through Medicaid and SCHIP. Illinois has a program called AllKids to provide help for low income families. . With states having budget shortfalls, some of these programs may not be funded any longer.

Historically the state sponsored dental plans in place have had only fair utilization.

Statistics show that children in families at the lower end of the income spectrum do not get regular dental care. The main reason is lack of participating dentists. There are enough dentists statewide , though he distribution is somewhat uneven. Dentists tend to set up offices where they prefer to live and feel they can make a decent living.

Only about 10 % of dentists take Medicaid/SCHIP/AllKids due to two main factors. The first is the reimbursement is about half the average fee a dentist charges, which will not cover the cost of delivering the care. The second reason is the involved paperwork needed to get reimbursed, and the expended length of time to process.

Healthcare reform going forward

Ultimately the government wants to encourage dentists and other healthcare workers to enter programs and clinics that will more evenly distribute care to underserved areas. They plan on doing this through subsidies and underwriting education costs for these individuals. This may be successful, though it is unclear how many healthcare providers will participate.

My thoughts

Healthcare costs are high and rising fast. Our current system is a sickness based system and unless we can reorient to a prevention and wellness system, things will only worsen. The government has some good ideas about taxing things that lead to illness. I think employers who have wellness incentives should also get a break from the government. I am not sure if the new plan will be sustainable. Time will tell.

I welcome your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Phillip C. Neal DDS

New Year New You... Snap-on-Smile

If you have been hiding your smile due to crooked, broken , discolored, or missing teeth, give us a call and see how easy it is to change your smile and your life.

People working in the public or looking for a new job know how important a great smile is.

People who never smiled before are smiling all of the time now.

If you were not blessed a great smile and could not afford a dental cosmetic makeover, you have another option. The Snap-on-Smile.

Since becoming a Snap-on-Smile provider, I have been overwhelmed by the positive response by patients who have literally had their lives changed.

One of my favorite parts of the dental profession is helping people improve their looks and thus their outlook on life. The introduction of this new technique to dentistry has made having a beautiful smile affordable to all.

Watch this video to see testimonials

check out our website for more details www.drneal.com

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Cash for Candy Recap

We colected over 850 pounds of candy this year for the troops.The Warriors Watch Veterans showed up in force and applauded each person who exchanged candy for cash. Star 105 radio came out and interviewed the veterans, children and myself about the program.

Thanks to all who participated in this great program. If you wish to participate, you can write cards of support, donate cash, or personal hygiene items to Operation Gratitude for inclusion. The cost of delivering a box to each member of the service overseas has risen to $11.00 each. Follow the link below if you wish to donate.

http://www.opgratitude.com/

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Happy Holidays

Here is a little video that may lighten up your spirits.

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Halloween Candy Buy Back Program

Halloween Tradition

Each year, we send our children out in costumes to collect mountains of candy. Much of the treasure is consumed immediately. However, much of it is eaten over the course of days or weeks. Now no one really thinks that all of that sugar is really good for kids, yet we don't know what to do with the candy. You have heard of "Cash for Clunkers", how about "Cash for Candy"

Cash for Candy

Well we have a great program to dump that candy and let the kids convert it to cash. We will provide $1.00 for each pound of wrapped candy the children bring in. This candy is then distributed to our troops overseas for the holidays. Last year we collected over 1300 pounds of candy for the troops along with a giant card signed by all of the children. There will be refreshments, and light up toothbrushes for the kids. Adults can sign up for a chance to win an IPod.

When and Where

Sunday November 1 from12:00PM to 4:00PM

Crystal Lake Dental Associates

280 B Memorial Court

Crystal Lake Illinois 60014

phone 815 459 2202

Go to our home page and click on the pumpkin to see some photos from last year's event.

www.drneal.com

Have a safe and fun Halloween

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Summer and Simple Pleasures

Summer Fun
Summer time should be a time of enjoying the harvest of great fresh foods. Brbecues, and picnics abound along with summer festivals.

Not so Fun
For many people who have lost some or all of their teeth, simple pleasures like eating apples, pears, plumbs, peaches, corn on the cob, ribs and chicken on the bone, are gone. As a college student, I remember my mother in law (a denture wearer) cutting off the corn and eating it with a fork, and cutting apples and other fruit up prior to eating. She had to cut meat off the bone also prior to eating it. I was young at time and did not really understand the impact of this ritual. I was not aware that with your palate your covered by a denture sense of taste and enjoyment also suffered.

Denture wearers develop only about 30% of the chewing efficiency due to the denture resting on soft tissues of the mouth. These losses of biting, chewing and taste can also be compounded by difficulty with dentures slipping out of place. this can lead to potential speech problems due to lack of retention. The longer a person wears dentures, the greater the jaw bone loss. At some point, the denture has no supporting bone to stabilize it and no amount of adhesive will suffice.

Good News
The good news is that dental implants can stabilize a denture, or replace it completely. Mini and standard implants can stabilize a denture where severe bone loss has already occurred. Dental implants strengthen the bone and reduce bone loss. Dental implants can replace one tooth or several teeth. If you have an existing partial or denture and wish to find a better solution, consider dental implants.

I am certified to places standard and mini dental implants. I have helped many people get back to the simple pleasures of eating talking and smiling with a beautiful result.

Learn more about dental implants click here

Phillip C. Neal DDS