Ballantyne Center for Dentistry

The 5 Barriers Preventing People from Seeking the Dental Care They Need and Desire

And the easy steps they can take to begin the journey to comfort, enhanced appearance and well-being

© Copyright - 2011 2

Researched and produced by…

Sponsored by…


Why we commissioned a research study…

• We see patients everyday – many do not understand the importance of their oral health or they fear dental procedures!

• We understand today’s dental patients want to be educated on their options and they want personalized care!

• So we asked an independent research company to investigate today’s challenges surrounding oral health and its impacts on your life!

• We are pleased to share this study with you!


Areas Covered

• We tend to say it’s what on the inside that counts… is that true?

• Reasons why oral health may be a life and death situation!

• Major reasons many postpone and outright fear going to the dentist!

• Things YOU can do today to improve your appearance, health and life!

5

What you may not know…

© Copyright - 2011


Our appearance impacts our lives

• … maybe even more than we imagined

• Our brains are hard-wired to recognize attractiveness

• The human brain contains the fusiform, which is located in the back of the head near the spine

• The fusiform determines whether we think someone is attractive or not

Source: Direct quotes and excerpts from author: Dan Eden writer for Viewzone2.com Article: What makes us attractive? http://viewzone2.com/facesx.html

http://viewzone2.com/facesx.html


We are hard-wired to recognize attractiveness instantaneously

• The fusiform instantly recognizes the faces of family and friends

• When this area of the brain is damaged, the individual cannot distinguish between plain faces and beautiful faces




Is it any wonder…

• Research proves attractive people receive special attention from teachers, the legal system and employers

• In fact, researchers found that attractive people tend to earn 5% more

• Whether it is fair or not…

– attractive people are typically viewed as honest and helpful while unattractive people are often perceived as rude and unfair




What is attractive?

94% of people say they

are likely to first notice a person’s smile

when meeting them for the first time

And less likely to notice their eyes, height or even figure

Source: American Academy of Periodontology, www.perio.org, June 2010Benefits of improving your smile, HPOL Study, www.artclesbase.com, January 2010

http://www.perio.org/

http://www.artclesbase.com/


Health and beauty are intertwined

• Dental disease and tooth loss don’t just make you look older, research shows they can reduce the average lifespan 3.4 years

• Studies show the number of teeth you have has a direct correlation on the length of your life

• And… individuals with gum disease have a 23% - 46% higher chance of dying from related diseases than those who don’t

Source: Gum Disease and Health Risks, www.dentalwellness4u.com, 2010

http://www.dentalwellness4u.com/


Most of us don’t know that …

Source: American Academy of Periodontology, www.perio.org, June 2010Benefits of improving your smile, HPOL Study, www.artclesbase.com, January 2010

–60% of adults have periodontal (gum) disease

– It is one of the two leading causes of tooth loss

• Not only is tooth loss considered unattractive

….if periodontal disease goes untreated you are more likely to develop heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and diabetes

http://www.perio.org/

http://www.artclesbase.com/


In fact…

Heart disease is 200% more likely in people who have gum diseaseSource: “Live oral bacteria found in arterial plaque.(Extracts)(Advertisement)."Florida Trend. 2005.

HighBeam Research. (March 6, 2010). Oral Health in America: A report of the Surgeon General, 2000


So… why do many people avoid dental care that will enhance their lives?

Let’s take a look at the barriers

14

Barrier # 1

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Fear


Where do you fit in this mix?

• 30% of U.S. adults have such an intense fear of dentistry that they avoid visits

• 75% of U.S. adults experience some degree of mild to severe fear

Source: Sedation Dentistry, Consumer Guide to Dentistry, www.yourdentistryguide.com/sedation, May 2009

Inte

nse

Fear

Mild

-Sev

ere

Fear

30%

75%

U.S. Adult Dental Fears

http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/sedation


What are the 3 most feared procedures?

1.Drilling

2.Anesthetic

injection

3.Tooth extractionSource: Dental fear and avoidance: causes symptoms and consequences, Journal of American Dentistry, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, August 1984

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/


The top 5 reasons for dental fear

No. 1

Fear of painThis fear usually stems from early dental experiences that were unpleasant or from horror stories told by others

Source: Medicinenet.com Easing Dental Phobias in Adults http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=43089


The top 5 reasons for dental fears

No. 2

Fear of injections or fear the injections won't work– Many people are terrified of

needles, especially when inserted into their mouths

– Others fear the anesthesia won’t take effect before the procedure begins, or that it wasn't a large enough dose to alleviate the pain




No. 3

Fear of anesthetic side effects– Some people fear potential

anesthesia side effects such as dizziness, faintness, or nausea

– Others don't like the numbness or “fat lip” associated with local anesthetics




No. 4

Feelings of helplessness and loss of controlThe dental environment can be intimidating and uncomfortable




No. 5

Embarrassment and loss of personal space– Many people feel

uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the dentist or hygienist

– Others may feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth or possible mouth odors



Today’s reality for many adults

Because of these fears…

– Many adults are under a

false impression that…

– the level of compassionate care and environment they desire is not obtainable

– and dental procedures do not exist that will eliminate their fears

23© Copyright - 2011

Barrier #2:Not understanding the impact of a smile


A look at self-esteem and confidence

• 87% of people believe a nice smile is very important to one’s self-esteem

• In fact, studies show that people with missing, crooked or yellow teeth have lower self-confidence and are reluctant to smile, laugh or talk

• Because of this they often appear

…timid, hesitant, withdrawn, sad or angry

Source: Benefits of improving your smile, ASPOL Study, www.articlesbase.com, January 2010, Appearance Anxiety, RDH Magazine, www.rdhmag.com, December 2006

http://www.articlesbase.com/

http://www.rdhmag.com/


A look at the social aspects

71% of people believe someone with a nice smile

makes friends more easily than a person with an unattractive smile

Source: Benefits of improving your smile, ASPOL Study, www.articlesbase.com, January 2010

http://www.articlesbase.com/


A look at the impact on lifestyle

• 32% of adults over the age of 65 have no natural teeth

• People with improperly fitting dentures or loose and missing teeth often have restricted diets which makes– Chewing food difficult

and painful which leads to– Lack of proper nutrition

and poor health Source: Health Status, www.agingstats.gov, 2008

http://www.agingstats.gov/


A look at the impact on careers

75% of adults say

a nice smile is

very important

to career successSource: Appearance Anxiety, RDH Magazine, www.rdhmag.com,

December 2006

http://www.rdhmag.com/


Not understanding

the impact of oral health

Barrier #3:


A look at gum disease

• 60% of the adult population over 40 years of age suffer from chronic gum infection

– A common symptom is chronicbad breath known as

halitosis– Many people don’t

understand that gum and breath mints can’t solve this problem

– It requires immediate, professional care

Source: The Kodish Group www.kodish.com, Ohio State Medical Center http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/dental_care/halitosis/Pages/index.aspx

http://www.kodish.com/


Many people have amalgam fillings that should be replaced

• Research shows that amalgam fillings cause nerve damage and can fracture teeth

– They are also extremely unattractive

• Amalgam fillings contain mercury which expands and contracts with cold and heat, just like the mercury in a thermometer

Source: The Kodish Group www.kodish.com



Our oral health affects our sleep

• Bruxism is the grinding of teeth

– This is one of the most common sleep disorders …30 – 4o million Americans grind their teeth nightly

• Bruxism can cause head and jaw muscle pain

• Even physicians sometimes misdiagnose bruxism

Source: The Kodish Group www.kodish.com



Medication usage impacts oral health

• More than 600 medications cause reduced salivary flow and dry mouth

• Which creates accelerated tooth decay

Source: Nutrition and Rheumatic Disease, 200


Cost of Dental Care

Barrier #4:


Insurance payouts frustrate patients

Why did my insurance pay less than I was told?

Reasons:

1. The insurance company may base payment on "average" fees or a "table of allowances”

2. Your dentist may not be on the insurance company’s provider list

Source: Quoteit.net Understanding your dental insurance http://www.quotit.net/resources/understanding_dental.htm


In addition…

3. Your policy may only pay for only the least expensive treatment – even though it is not the right treatment

4. Different treatments are covered at different rates

– For example, crowns might be covered at 50% and fillings covered at 70%

• Some treatments are not covered at all!

Source: Quoteit.net Understanding your dental insurance http://www.quotit.net/resources/understanding_dental.htm


Delaying care increases costs

• Millions of ‘dental avoiders’ go without regular dental treatment for 5, 10 or even 20 years

• Delaying care can increase costs, the extent of the procedures needed and the length of time it takes to complete the procedures

Source: Gum Disease and Longevity, www.Dentalwellness4u.com, 2010


Cost of care versus lifespan

• Many patients don’t understand their restorative and cosmetic options and the lifetime costs associated with each

• For example, porcelain veneers last up to twice as long as composite veneers

Source: Cental Veneers Cost and Procedure Details, Consumer Guide to Dentistry, www.yourdentistryguide.com, August 2010

http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/


Reason #5:Lack of personal care

Barrier #5:Lack of Personalized Care


Personalized care takes time

Many dental offices operate like assembly lines

They quickly do a little bit of dentistry on a lot of people

Other offices take time to get to know people and understand their unique sets of concerns and desires

Now they can deliver personalized care that exceeds expectations


Quality dental care and an outstanding experience

• The quality of dental care people receive is vitally important to their long-term health and well-being

• And the comfortable and compassionate experience that is wrapped around the care creates loyal patients who may even enjoy their dental visits


Not understanding your options causes anxiety

• Did you know that anxiety is increased by the lack of a thorough and informed explanation?

• Some patients aren’t told or don’t understand their options which creates confusion, doubt and dissatisfaction

• Other patients are told their options and the benefits of each one which creates certainty and satisfaction


So… what steps can you take to improve your oral health & appearance?

…. In a comfortable environment with personalized care?


Step #1:

Understand there are effective ways to eliminate your fear


Personalized care to alleviate fears

• In 2000 the Surgeon General asked the dental community to improve the quality of care for ‘dental avoiders’

• Certain dentists accepted the challenge and incorporated sedation dentistry into their practices

• This has helped more than 1 million dental avoiders improve their oral health

Source: Heeding the surgeon general’s call: Sedation dentistry attracts long-hesitant patients a, Dental Tribune, www.docseducation.com, May 2007

http://www.docseducation.com/


Achieving an attractive smile COMFORTABLY is now a reality

• Sedation dentistry involves taking an oral sedative before your visit

• The oral sedation puts you in a dream-like state where all your fear floats away

• Sedation dentistry is the happy place between sleep and awake

• You emerge from your visit with little or no memory of the treatment


What sedation dentistry is not…

• General anesthesia

• Nitrous oxide (laughing

gas)

• Intravenous (IV)

sedationSource: Sedation Dentistry, Consumer Guide to Dentistry, www.yourdentistryguide.com, May 2009



One comfortable experience

One benefit of sedation dentistry is the possibility of receiving all your dental care in just one visit vs. three or four visits with conventional dentistry


Step #2:

Understand the options available that will enhance your appearance


Tooth-colored fillings are more appealing

• Silver and mercury fillings (amalgams) turn black over time

• The latest technology uses a tooth-colored material that strengthens teeth

• Only one visit is typically needed to remove old, ugly fillings and replace them with tooth-colored restorations


Veneers can change lives

Veneers are used to restore teeth that are:

• Discolored• Worn down• Chipped• Broken• Misaligned• Uneven or irregularly shaped

Source: Dental Health and Veneers, WebMD, www.webmd.com, 2010

http://www.webmd.com/


SIX MONTH SMILES

SIX MONTHS SMILES gives adults a commonsense, cosmetic solution that fits their lifestyles• Six month average

treatment time• Brackets and wires are

barely visible• Typically less expensive

than traditional braces, aligner therapy or veneers


Natural-looking porcelain crowns enhance smiles

• Crowns with a metal core under the porcelain frequently have a dark shadow at the gum line

• Today, crowns can be created with 100% porcelain that have a 95% - 97% long-term success rateSource: Sirona www.sirona.com, 2010

http://www.sirona.com/


Implants are another option for enhancing your appearance

• Implants provide a strong foundation for a beautiful smile

• Implants can replace one or many teeth

• They can permanently anchor crowns, bridges and dentures while preventing bone loss and the shifting of surrounding teeth


Step #3:

Understand how technology can improve your personalized experience and comfort


Technology has changed dentistry

Digital X-Rays, Sedation, Lasers and CEREC

… are four of the recent technological advancements that have enhanced personalized care


Digital X-Rays reduce radiation

Digital X-Rays reduce radiation by 80%

They capture images on a computer screen which provides greater accuracy than the traditional paper and film x-rays

Source: Dental X-Rays and Digital Technology, Dentistry.com, 2010Dental Technologies: The Leading Edge of Dental Care, Consumer Guide to Dentistry, www.yourdentistryguide.com, March 2009



Laser dentistry is improving personalized care

• Soft tissue lasers often eliminate the need for stitches and anesthesia, while minimizing bleeding and infection

• Damage to surrounding tissue is greatly diminished which reduces healing time

• However, only 6% of general dentists own soft tissue lasers

Sourec: Laser Dentistry: Enhancing Dental Treatment with Lasers, Consumer Guide to Dentistry, www.yourdentistryguide.com, March 2009



CEREC Restorations

• Many people are unfamiliar with CEREC which uses CAD/CAM technology to increase the precision, quality and color of dental restorations

• With CEREC, dentists can design, process and place crowns and onlays in one office visitSource: Sirona, Cereconline.com, 2010


Step #4:

Select a dental practice that offers personalized care and a comfortable environment


So many advancements… so many choices

• Dentistry is more complex than ever

• There is sedation dentistry, periodontal dentistry, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and implant dentistry

• Each of these fields require vast amounts of knowledge and expertise

• Most general dentists employ simplistic methods to complete dentistry

A few dentists have taken the time and effort learning how to provide personalized care in comfortable environment


So…what does personalized care really mean?

• It means you’re not going to receive the same cookie-cutter-like dental treatment the majority of people receive

• It means a variety of methods will be available for reducing your fears in a caring and comfortable environment


It means…

• Your comfort level will always be taken into consideration

• Your personal needs will be understood by the entire office team

• And your concerns and desires will be taken into consideration before your action plan is created


It means…

• If you choose to invest in restorative, implant or cosmetic dentistry, the dentist will be highly qualified so you receive outstanding results

• The office you choose will have the most advanced technology and use the most effective techniques


And what if…

• You received a written quality guarantee

• Shouldn’t dentists be prepared to back up their work

• Think about it, you would never buy a new car without a warranty

• Isn’t your appearance and health even more important than a new car?


We compare more than ever before

• Why wouldn’t you do the same when choosing a dentist?

• When comparing your dental options, what should you look for?


Factors to consider…

Be sure the dentist you choose:

• Is qualified in sedation dentistry

• Has received advanced training in periodontal, restorative and implant dentistry

• Makes your comfort a priority


More factors to consider…

• Uses state of the art technology and equipment

• Provides verifiable results, testimonials and before & after photos of patients

• Is respected by a variety of healthcare professionals


More factors to consider

• Is committed to educating patients on various options available

• Has a highly trained, caring and dedicated team who are passionate about what they do

• Communicates with and listens to their patients

• Provides a safe and caring environment where patients receive personalized care in a comfortable environment


We hope this report was informative

• Beautiful smiles come in all shapes and sizes; however, there are steps you can take that will help you feel more comfortable, healthy and self-confident

• If you do choose restorative, sedation, cosmetic or implant dentistry, we hope you learned that all options are not created equal

• This presentation was sponsored by Ballantyne Center for Dentistry

• We have a three minute overview of our Center we would like to share with you


And now a word from…


OUR MISSIONIt is our responsibility to provide personalized and professional care with a level of service that exceeds our patients’ expectations.


WHAT SETS US APART?

• We provide our patients with individual consultations where we listen to you concerns and desires

• We treat each of our patients with the upmost personal respect, courtesy and confidentiality

• We develop a plan that will support your goals while working within your budget

• We offer a guarantee on our dental care• We offer Personalized Care and create

Life Changing Smiles… like these


I came to Ballantyne Center for Dentistry after putting off dental work for years. Dr. Joe was fantastic and the staff made my experience so great.

Now I feel great about my smile .


I can't begin to thank you enough for the tremendous results you performed. I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey and have been extremely impressed with your guidance, thoughtfulness,

workmanship, and the overall comfort you and your staff provided me.


MEET OUR TEAM

• Picture

Meet our team!


Our Next StepWe are pleased to offer you a complimentary Ballantyne New Smile Analysis which includes:

• photos of your existing smile and creation of imaged photos of your transformed smile

• Smile analysis questionnaire and diagnostic evaluation

• Consultation with doctor and

smile specialist

• The usual investment for the

New Smile Analysis is $390

Health & Medicine

Ballantyne Center for Dentistry