I Hate the Dentist

RELIEVING

(not reliving)

dental anxieties, fears, and phobias

DENTISTRY'S BLIND SPOT:

Greater than 50% of the population of the United States does not seek regular dental attention. One of the greatest reasons for this is that many people, despite success and balance in every other aspect of their lives, are extremely apprehensive or uncomfortable with dental treatment. Their concerns range from memories or stories about unfortunate dental experiences, to noise concerns, to needle phobia, to pain anxieties.

Other people have medical, anatomic, or neurological problems which make dentistry performed in the "usual manner" very uncomfortable. These people include those with a strong gag reflex, vertigo, claustrophobia, limited opening, etc.

Still other people find that the amount of dentistry they require to regain their oral health is staggering, or that for certain personal reasons they must have significant amounts of treatment done in a short time. The latter group includes many of our celebrity and media patients, as well as international and traveling patients. The former group encompasses many persons who are motivated but overwhelmed.

DENTISTRY'S ARROGANCE:

Doctors Groh, Souviron, and Mannis feel that the dental profession is often callous toward the concerns and needs of the above patients. The unspoken attitude among many dentists is, that if the patient can't conform to our style, then tough!

Most people in the United States are not aware that it is
possible to have your appendix out with just local anesthesia (novocaine) in your skin. Most people would not think of subjecting themselves to a simple and routine procedure like this without general anesthesia. Yet, like in the above photo, dentists expect their patients to sit in the chair and receive surgery in their mouth, under their nose and eyes, next to their ears, with their mouth open wide and with little sense of control or communication.

Friends, we understand human nature enough to know that not everyone can bring themselves to be treated like that. A significant and worthy number of you feel that their just must be a better way.

DENTAL leaders' solution:

Aside from our predictably gentle care, Doctors Groh, Souviron, and Mannis can provide dental care under "twilight sleep" sedation or general anesthesia. Utilizing these safe techniques, apprehensive or stressed patients need not participate in their own care- Doctor Groh delivers an easy anesthetic and the treatment is done without any recollection or sensation for the patient. Usually an entire, complex plan of treatment can be accomplished at only one visit!

If you think that "asleep dentistry" may be the right treatment modality for you, please contact Dental Leaders for more information.

SAFETY, TRAINING, LICENSURE, and 60 MINUTES II:

Dr. Groh is a hospital trained fellow in dental anesthesiology. He uses full monitoring in the office, including pulse oximetry, EKG, and blood pressure. His assistants are trained in CPR, and Dr. Groh has been certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support by the American Red Cross and Baptist Hospital Systems. He has even taught part of that course. Dr. Groh teaches dental anesthesiology and pain control to pediatric dental residents at Miami Children's Hospital as a Courtesy Professor of the University of Florida. He is licensed by the State of Florida to provide general anesthesia for dental procedures. Some dentists in Miami who advertise such services have no such credentials or license.
Sixty Minutes II correspondent Vicki Mabrey spoke with Dr. Groh prior to airing the January 20, 1999 segment on dental anesthesiology. His response to the piece was, "It's a shame that children had to suffer so unnecessarily. Now the bad doctors know that someone is looking". Please heed Ms. Mabrey's warnings and choose your dental anesthesiologist with care!

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