Archive for the ‘Green Dentistry’ Category

At The Gentle Dentist located in Shelby Township, Macomb County, Michigan we pride ourselves in the fact that we combine High technology with High touch.  Our team of dental professionals aim to make your visit to our dental office in Shelby Twp. the most positive experience at a dental office as possible.  With a light hearted, compassionate environment many of our dental patients say what a great place this is to even visit.

How then do we incorporate our dental technology with the gentle touch?  That is easy-We use the technology as a tool and not an excuse to ignore our dental patients.

The following are examples how we use technology at our dental office located at 22 Mile Rd. just west of Hayes which is 2 miles north of Sterling Heights:

• We are a paperless dental office so this means that any forms are sent to you online to be filled out in the privacy of your own home so that when you arrive at the dental office  you will only need to review the information you filled out and sign off on our tablet PC.  This is convenient when you have the time and have access to your medical and dental information.
• Digital x rays and panoramic x rays.  With the use of digital x rays your exposure to radiation is decreased by 50-60%.  The image appears on our screen within 4 seconds of exposure.  If a different view is needed there is no need to wait which is common with x ray film. This also makes us a “green dental office” since there are no harmful chemicals disposed of and used.
• Electric dental hand pieces are used for precise control of the drill and is quieter than the air driven drills used by many dentists in the Macomb County area.
• Digital photos of both your smile and mouth make communication and understanding much easier which take the guess work out of it.  These can also be emailed to you for your own use.
• Computer based educational systems are used to allow you the dental patient to have a better understanding of the procedures that are recommended to you.

These are only a few of the unique high technology tools we use for our dental patients in the Washington Twp., Clinton Township and New Baltimore areas.  For more information please visit our website at www.TheGentleDentist.com or call (586)247-3500.

 The Green Dental Office What are the implications and impact of the caustic chemicals, xrays, mercury in fillings, and other items found in a medical facility and more specifically a dental office?

  These questions have been asked by my patients in the past.  There is a higher level of awareness of the environment these days considering that our planet has finite resources and we all need to take care of it.  There is tremendous waste in our daily living and as we do business. 

On my recent mission trip to Haiti it became very clear what happens when the environment is abused by lack of sanitation and disrespect of the ecology.  Because of the abject poverty there is no public sanitation in Haiti, including open sewers or trash pick up so they either throw the trash where ever they please, burn it, or take it on barges and dump it in the ocean.  Trash is washed onto the beach that creates a rather depressing image. It reminds me of the ad campaign we had back in the 1970s of the native American with a tear in his eye as he was looking at the waterways and trash.  We have come a long way since then but still need to improve on how we take care of what God has given to us.

The other serious problem the Haitians have is that they are loosing their land. Poor people in the country harvest trees to produce charcoal without replanting.  The top soil that was once retained by the roots is washed away during heavy rains and hurricanes.  This soil covers houses at the bottom of the mountains and affects the ocean where the trash and soil covers the ecosystem in the ocean.Fishing, farming and life in general is affected by this lack of awareness.  The question is then: How can I consciously live my life to have the least impact on our environment.  If each of us has this attitude then we can make a difference not only for ourselves, but for our children and their children.

Here is how we at our office attempt to have the least impact on our environment:

1. We use digital x-rays including scans of the entire jaw and individual teeth of the mouth.  This reduces radiation by about 75% and reduces the caustic chemicals needed to process x-ray film that usually gets dumped down our drains and into the treatment facilities.  Since we use digital x-ray sensors, potentially harmful lead lined film packets are also eliminated.
2. We are paperless and chartless meaning that there are no charts in our office.  Our patients fill out necessary forms online or in the office on a tablet computer which completely eliminates paper. 
3. Digital photographs are taken which helps not only with communication, but the use of photo processing chemicals are not needed..
4. All of the batteries used in the office are rechargeable eliminating the waste of batteries.  If they are needed to be disposed of they are recycled.
5. We have eliminated the use of mercury containing silver dental amalgam with tooth colored composite fillings and haven’t used these types of mercury fillings for over 10 years.  We are in the process of installing an amalgam separator that eliminates the mercury from entering the waste water system.  It has just been mandated in the state of Michigan that dental offices need these devices. (In my mind it is ironic that many dentists place amalgam in the mouth but the FDA has stated that it is potentially harmful.)

These are a few of the ongoing changes that we are making in our dental practice to make dental treatment both safe for our environment, patients and staff.