Friday, February 26, 2010

Oral Healthcare Can't Wait!

Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait
Patient Newsletter Article

Do You Know Why Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait?

It seems that everyone you talk to these days has been affected by tough economic conditions. 
Do you know anyone who isn’t trying to save money by cutting back on discretionary purchases that they may have taken for granted just a few months ago?

A new car? It can wait. New kitchen cabinets? They can wait. Caribbean vacation? Make that a “staycation.” Gourmet coffee? Home-brewed tastes pretty good these days. Designer clothes? Can you say “Tarzhay”?

Being frugal in an uncertain economy is not a bad thing – we’re all doing it to some extent. However, there are some things that should always remain on the “must have” list unless your financial situation is critical.

One such example is oral healthcare for you and your family. For many Americans, maintaining proper oral health via regular dental visits and compliance with a dentist-recommended treatment plan are being given a very low priority that can only be described as neglect.

Truth be told, Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait, and that’s the name of the national consumer awareness campaign that is proud to be a part of.

Unfortunately, many people still believe that the only time they really need to see a dentist is when they feel pain. Ouch! That hurts us at because, as caring dental professionals, we’re primarily focused on disease and pain prevention when our patients allow us to do so.

However, we see it time and time again – many wait until emergency conditions prevail. By this time, the necessary and immediate course of treatment is much more invasive and costly. Perhaps you yourself have “been there, done that.” If so, you should agree that oral healthcare is a perfect example of an “ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.”

Did you know that what you can’t see or feel happening in your mouth can still hurt you?
That’s right. Recent studies have linked undiagnosed and untreated periodontal disease with increased complications for patients with heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic health conditions. The latest medical research also indicates that maintaining optimum oral health is vital for one’s overall health and well-being. 

Although many are postponing dental treatment due to economic factors, the fact is that many Americans actually have adequate dental benefits that they are not taking full advantage of – even when they pay for a portion of the coverage!

Our office staff can help ensure that you are taking full advantage of your allotted and deserved coverage – especially those routine hygiene visits that can go a long way in preventing cavities and periodontal disease. 

Even if you don’t have insurance, you can probably maintain the oral health of you and your family by discussing flexible payment plans with our office staff or using a major credit card, which we accept as well.

The ultimate goal of the Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait campaign is to sustain and improve oral health in America. We invite you to stop by the office and pick up a free copy of the informative brochure that the Dental Trade Alliance has developed for the Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait campaign.

Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait is a trademark of the Dental Trade Alliance.

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