Dentist ≠ Pain

Many people associate a trip to the dentist with pain and they continue to do so without realising that nowadays there is no pain. With the advancement in dental diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, dental procedures now can be performed with precision, much faster and with minimal downtime for the patient.

Dentistry has evolved to a point where pain is no longer a factor in the overall management equation. With trouble free post-treatment recovery possible, patients no longer have lingering “bad” memories or experiences at their dentists’ office.

Why Pain Arises

Dental pain is one of the most intolerable body pains one can withstand. It has been said that dental pain from a broken tooth can bring the bravest of men to his knees.

• Lack of good oral hygiene contributes to development of gum diseases and dental cavities.
• Lack of good oral health education and dental awareness also deters patients from regular visit to their dentists. The dental problems then snowballs to bigger and more severe ones as time goes by.

By visiting the dentist on a regular basis, problems can be spotted early and resolved before any pain or infection occurs.

Dealing with Anxiety

Possible reasons for anxiety:

• Extreme anxiety in dental patients can often be passed on by their family or friends. Not everyone enjoys visiting the dentist; some may even have very bad previous experiences before.
• Sometimes dental anxieties may be a result of stereotypical portrayals from popular culture.
• Clinical atmosphere. The saying goes:  “Appearance matters”. Well in relation to managing our patients’ anxiety, this holds true. “Clinical” looking dental offices that emit the classical smell of disinfectant and the sound of the whining dental drill can also contribute to the anxiety factor in patients.

Allaying Anxiety

• Pleasant ambiance at the clinic. Dental clinics these days are decked out in warm interior décor together with comforting lighting while disinfectants are now odour-free. Television and music are available to entertain patients in the waiting room and in the treatment room.
• Good communication between dentist/dental team and patient is critical. Speak with your dentist regarding your oral health and let him or her know if you are anxious about the dental appointment and the treatment. By understanding and knowing more about the procedure, you will be in a better position to control your anxiety levels because you know what to expect.
• Access to Information. More information about the qualifications, experience, track record of your dentist and the procedure itself prior to treatment will also reduce anxiety as you would have a higher level of confidence in the dentist and would know that you are in good hands.
• Anti-anxiety oral medications can be prescribed prior to a dental visit to reduce anxiety levels; this will lead to a faster and smoother delivery of treatment thus making the entire dental visit more pleasant and acceptable.

Studies have shown that pain is more often experienced when people are anxious, anticipating the “worst”. With the fear of a stereotypical dental office setting removed and better communication and trust between the patient and the dentist, patients are in a better position to experience dental treatment without any pain.

Relief from Pain

Most dental treatment can be delivered with or without local anaesthesia. If the procedure is simple, local anaesthesia may not be needed. No one enjoys the sight of a needle or being pricked by one. Generally, if your dentist makes you feel secure and you feel comfortable in the soothing surroundings, a simple cleaning or filling can be performed without the need for injections.

Local anaesthesia is required for dental procedures such as deep cleaning, deep cavities, root canal treatment and many cosmetic procedures (crowns, veneers, etc.) Anaesthesia is also required for outpatient/ in-office oral surgical procedures such as simple and complex dental extractions, wisdom teeth removal, oral biopsies, gum surgery, dental implant placement, bone grafting etc.  With topical or surface anaesthesia applied first to the area, dental injections when delivered in a controlled and slow pace, can be with minimal or no discomfort at all.

Patients may also opt for in-office intravenous sedation, delivered by a team of well trained and qualified specialist anaesthetists. During the sedation procedure, vital parameters such as blood pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels are constantly monitored throughout the entire dental procedure to ensure the safety of the patient. Sedation is suitable for patients aged 7 years old and upwards.

Patients may also opt for general anaesthesia which is a very deep level of sedation requiring airway maintenance and breathing support with the anaesthetic machine. Hospitalisation may or may not be required; but a proper operating theatre facility and set-up is required, thus raising the total cost of treatment.

Patients may want to opt for in-office sedation as the best alternative.

Relief from Financial Pain

Besides dental pain, patients may also feel financial pain from undergoing dental treatment.

• “Prevention is better than cure”. Regular visits to your dentist are important to spot problems early. A small cavity is easy and more economical to treat than a huge and deep cavity that may require extensive treatment like root canal therapy and a crown.
• Speak with your dentist regarding treatment fees and payment methods to avoid any surprises. Certain dental surgical procedures are also covered by Medisave or certain insurance schemes. In addition, some clinics also have interest-free instalment plans available or are registered for the Baby Bonus Scheme which would aid in providing some relief from financial pain.

Your Dentist – Your Partner in Health

Dental treatment or procedures do not need to affect your lifestyle or work routine/ schedule. Pain is no longer in the equation with proper diagnosis, management and delivery of treatment. Certain implant procedures are now minimally invasive (keyhole) in nature. Oral surgery performed together with intravenous sedation offers minimal downtime for recovery and patients are back to their normal routine within 1 or 2 days.

Advances in dental diagnostics and treatment coupled with highly trained and qualified dental health professionals can bring dentistry to the next higher level: Pain-Free Dentistry.

Remember your dentist is there to take away your pain; start treating your dentist as your partner in oral health preservation and smile transformation and you will begin to feel less anxious about your whole dental visit.

A Tradition of Excellence

Specialist Dental Group™ has been established at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre in Singapore since 1979 and celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year. The Group is one of the largest multi-specialty dental clinics in Singapore and has nine treatment rooms in two clinics served by a team of seven leading dental specialists.

“Not many dental practices in Singapore have the distinction of being around for such a long time,” says Dr Neo Tee Khin, Managing Partner of Specialist Dental Group™. The late Dr. Henry Lee, founder of the clinic, was a well established oral surgeon who placed the first titanium dental implants in Singapore more than 20 years ago. This strong foundation in dental implants has continued today with Specialist Dental Group™ being one of the leading dental implant providers in Singapore.

According to Dr Ansgar C Cheng, Co-Managing Partner of the Group, the clinic was renamed Specialist Dental Group™ in 2008 to reflect the breadth and depth of the comprehensive dental solutions under one roof provided by its internationally trained/ qualified multi-specialty team.

The clinical team at Specialist Dental Group™ includes dentists with specialty training in prosthodontics (teeth replacement), periodontics (gum treatment), orthodontics (braces) and oral & maxillofacial surgery. Signature dental solutions include Teeth-in-an-Hour implants, Instant Implants™, conventional dental implants, Invisalign®, braces, oral surgery, gum treatment and crowns.

“The idea of a multi-specialty practice arose due to the higher demand and expectation of our patients. Having all our specialists in one place improves communication among them resulting in an excellent standard of care and convenience for our patients,” adds Dr. Neo. Patients benefit with reduced waiting times and can access dentists from different specialty areas with one appointment.

Another convenience is that due to the location of the clinic in a premier medical centre, patients can also schedule their medical and dental visits on the same day in the same building, minimizing the need to take extra time off their busy schedules.

The dental team at Specialist Dental Group™ is also experienced in treating patients with medical conditions such as cancer, stroke, diabetes and heart problems. One of the services offered to patients prior to undergoing cancer treatment (e.g., radiation or chemotherapy) or a major medical procedure (e.g. organ transplantation or heart surgery) is a Dental Assessment. Dental Assessments minimize the risk of oral complications developing in the middle of cancer treatment or post-surgery as a result of a pre-existing dental condition such as an infected tooth or gum disease. The significant cost savings and avoidance of physical and emotional trauma are some of the benefits of having a dental assessment.

Contribution to the Professional Community and to Public Awareness

Most of the dentists at Specialist Dental Group™ have taught or are currently teaching at the National University of Singapore and other international universities. They are also active contributors to international scientific journals and sit on the editorial boards of such publications. As opinion leaders in their respective specialty areas, they are regularly invited to speak at local and international dental conferences.

On the public awareness front, the dental team at Specialist Dental Group™ is passionate about educating the public about oral health, innovations in dentistry and the connection between good oral health and a healthy body. In conjunction with the 30^th anniversary of Specialist Dental Group™’ this year, the clinic organized a public seminar with Channel NewsAsia – Putting the Sparkle Back Into Your Smile – A Dental Seminar that Bridges Function & Aesthetics, which was very well received with an audience of almost 600 people attending to learn more about oral health.

Getting Connected

In addition to the comprehensive information on dental procedures on the Specialist Dental Group™ website, patients are also able to make appointment bookings and enquiries as well as view videos. Specialist Dental Group™ also has a Blog, Facebook Fan Page and a Twitter account in order to be more accessible to patients.

With the large number of dentists and dental clinics available in Singapore, the challenge is in selecting a dentist that is appropriate for the dental needs of you and your family. Some factors to consider in selecting a dentist include (in no particular order):

Objectivity and Communication Skills – Is the dentist willing to listen, give you some alternatives to treatment and explain the benefits and risks of such treatment? Is he or she willing to answer your questions about the procedure?

Clinical skills – are you comfortable with the clinical skills of the dentist, either based on your personal experience or the experience of friends and family members?

Training and qualifications – are the dentist’s training and qualifications important to you? All Singapore general dental practitioners have basic training in routine dental procedures. However, if you are considering more specialized treatment, you may wish to consult a specialist (or more than one specialist) to determine if you are suitable for the particular procedure.

Experience – how much experience does the dentist have with a particular procedure? Is the dentist a newly minted one, or has he or she been in practice for an extended period of time?

Continued professional development – Does he or she attend Continuing Dental Education courses to keep current on clinical developments and innovations? Does the dentist teach at their local dental school or contribute scientific publication to professional journals?

Dental Team – if several different dental procedures are required, can they all be provided in the same clinic, or would you have to go to several different clinics to complete the procedure? This would be a consideration in terms of multiple appointments with different clinics, travel time and communications between treating/referring dentists and familiarity with the dental team and staff.

Accessibility – how accessible is the dentist? Is an emergency number provided? What other means of communication are there with the clinic or dentist?

Staff friendliness – how friendly and helpful are the dental staff?