Welcome to Dr Darryl Marsh's Dental Blog
One of the reasons I am writing this blog is that in my practice I see many patients who bring with them fear, anxiety and a history of painful dental visits.
They commonly feel guilty for not having visited a dentist for some years – often five or ten years, and are embarrassed about the state of their teeth.
The important things I try to communicate to my patients are:
Even little patients like to feel like they are in control. Its important that mum and dad understand all the options, associated costs and what the likely treatment outcomes are.
There is no-one more vulnerable than a person with a dental problem who doesn’t know what questions to ask to help them make an informed decision.
My blog will help you clarify what information you need, and some of the options available to you before you even step foot in a dental office.
Do you speak ‘dentist’?
I’m like all other dentists in the world: due to our education we tend to think in a certain way and use a specialised vocabulary. It’s not that we don’t want our patients to understand us.
However, after five years of dental school, continuing education and talking to other dentists in scientific language and jargon, ‘dental talk’ becomes the natural way we talk about teeth and dental problems.
After twenty-five years of speaking in ‘dental talk’ I know how difficult it is to break out of that mould. And because these old habits die so hard, I am going to write this blog, not as an encyclopaedia about teeth, but as a guide for dental patients so:
Even though I try very hard to not speak in ‘dental talk’, I almost always relapse back into it.
There are a few steps we follow initially when treating kids.
Dental patients are often too polite to tell their dentist that he or she didn’t explain things very well. And it is this politeness that keeps them in the dark, resulting in decision making without understanding the full consequences.
As a dentist I hate it when a patient says to me that they really regret a decision they made, or that may have been made for them, about their dental treatment in the past.
Often they have had teeth removed and are now left unable to chew properly, are embarrassed to smile, or are left with chronic pain or some other ‘dental disability’.
As a dentist my whole professional life is dedicated to helping my patients achieve the level of dental health, chewing ability and smile that they want. This blog aims to empower dental patients to make their own decisions by explaining their treatment options in plain English.
I hope you find this blog helpful. To those who have suffered in the past with bad dental experiences, I hope it provides the key to moving past your dental fears, towards good dental health and a beautiful smile.
Keep smiling!
almost luxurious experience.
I highly recommend this dentist, especially if you suffer with anxiety or a fear of dentistry."
Your first visit at Today’s Dentistry is all about creating a Dental Roadmap so you know exactly what condition your teeth and gums are in, and what your options are for treatment.
Your first appointment includes: