Your Comfort

stock17You may think “my comfort” has something to do with our soft neck pillows, complimentary beverages, or modern, cushy dental chairs. Well, yes, we have all that. But what we’re really talking about is your “comfort level” with dentistry.

Did you know that 50% of Americans don’t regularly visit a dentist? Surprised? We were. But the answer to the question “Why?” is quite simple: each of these people is uncomfortable with dentistry.

Some people are afraid of pain. Pain is a great motivator to get away, stay away and never go back. However, seeing the dentist doesn’t have to be something you dread.

Some people are embarrassed or afraid to confront the scope of long-time neglect. Some people are worried about the cost. Others worry that their dentist will “over prescribe” treatment they don’t really want or need.

Occasionally, we’ll meet someone that had a bad experience as a child and then resolved as an adult to never see a dentist again. Some people are even worried about the sterility of dental instruments.

Finally, many people just have anxiety about choosing the “right” dentist!

We understand

That’s one of the things that can make our practice so different from every prior experience you’ve had with dentistry. If you’re among the 50% that hasn’t regularly seen a dentist, please take a moment to find your “discomfort barrier” below and learn why our practice can be the right one for you and your family.

“I’m afraid it will hurt.”

Simply said, it most likely won’t. It isn’t like the good ol’ days. Modern advancements have all but eliminated pain from the dental care equation. From “painless” injection technology to varied levels of relaxation techniques, patient comfort has come of age. As one of our patients, you may quickly see that this fear can become a non-issue for you.

“I’ll be embarrassed.”

Everybody has their unique set of things that they ignore, postpone, avoid and procrastinate. It’s OK. We’re not perfect either, and the last thing we would dream of doing is trying to make someone feel uncomfortable about their teeth or their dental health.

It’s just not part of our nature—or our practice culture. So put that fear out of your mind and rest assured we value your trust. You’re among non-judgmental friends.

“I can’t afford dentistry.”

First, have you ever considered the “cost of neglect” compared to the “cost of maintenance”? Every time you have the oil changed in your vehicle you demonstrate prudence, knowing that a few dollars regularly spent maintaining will avoid huge expenses down the road. The same principle applies to dentistry.

While a routine exam, cleaning, and tiny white filling may pinch your budget a little bit this month, it will save hundreds or even thousands to fix major problems such as root canals, gum disease, or lost teeth. Mom was right. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

Further, we find the money to spend when there is perceived value in the purchase. It isn’t that dentistry is expensive. It’s that some people struggle seeing its value. Sometimes it’s easier to spend $1000 on a television than on a rotting tooth—especially if that tooth doesn’t hurt much yet.

One of our goals over the lifetime of every patient relationship is to help people see, feel and internalize the value of competent oral health care. It isn’t about us trying to “talk you into” something. It’s about you coming to your own conclusions about your mouth’s health and appearance.

We’ve found that when people reach those conclusions, as nearly all of our patients do, the expression moves from “I can’t afford a great dentist” to “I can’t afford NOT to have a great dentist.”

“I’ll be pressured into treatments I don’t want or need.”

We want to assure you that this kind of treatment really isn’t our style. We value every patient too much.

“I might choose the ‘wrong’ dentist.”

We were recently surprised when we read the findings of a national survey concluding that many people experience MORE anxiety over “choosing” a dentist than they experience “going” to a dentist. If you’re one of those people, that’s probably why you’re still reading all the fine print on this site. Isn’t it nice to know that you’ve chosen a dentist who actually thinks these concerns through from YOUR perspective? It’s another reason why you may never need to worry about choosing the wrong dentist. We are here to help you make good choices about your dentist and about your dental health.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said,
“…let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

While FDR was referring to the depths of the Great Depression, his words ring true today as applied to your dental health care decision. You can be comfortable with your dentist. You can feel a profound sense of trust and confidence that you’ve made the right choice the first time you visit our practice.

We look forward to serving you.